Kainai Chieftainship Ceremony Inducts Two New Members 

by Amber Sugai, Blood Tribe Communications Officer

On Monday September 22, 2025, Blood Tribe Chief and Council attended the Kainai Chieftainship Induction Ceremony hosted at Medicine Hat College and welcomed two long-time advocates for the Blood Tribe.

Joanne Crook and Robert (Bob) Wanner are new members of the Chieftainship which started in 1918 with the Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward. The Kainai Chieftainship allows only 40 living members that are not from the Blood Tribe and currently has 30 members.

“When you become a part of the Chieftainship you are a part of the Blood Tribe, you are effectively adopted into them,” said retired Judge Jim Langston, “We contribute as best as we can to the security, to the future, the education, and to all things involving the Blood Tribe.”

Joanne Crook was given the name “Aah Pom aa kii” which means A Woman from Across the Water. Crook is a lawyer at Walsh LLP and has worked more than 30 years at the firm helping First Nations People, specifically the Blood Tribe with Chief and Council and Blood Tribe Administration. Her more recent work resulted in successful outcomes for the Blood Tribe with the Cattle Claim and Mismanagement of Assets settlements.

“There’s still work to be done, and hopefully we achieve it, but this is a true honour and means so much to be welcomed into the Blood Tribe this way,” said Crook.

Robert (Bob) Wanner was given the name “Iitis ooks kah sii” which means The One Who Runs in Front. Wanner was previously working as a social worker before his four years as Speaker of the Alberta Legislative Assembly. Wanner advocated for rural indigenous communities which included the installation of Indigenous artwork in the Alberta Legislature Assembly Chamber.

“I hope that in small ways, I can help fulfill that obligation that I feel I owe to all of you, to this community,” stated Wanner, “I don’t know how to express my complete overwhelmingness about getting this award, I hope I can only do the honors bestowed upon me.”

Langston reminds all guests of the sacredness and honor to be a part of the Chieftainship.

“Present in this ceremonial tent is the essence of the Blackfoot people, the essence of the Blood Tribe. The political power is here represented by Chief and Council. The cultural power represented by all the people taken part of the ceremony, and the spiritual part represented here. You are in the face of incredible power,” said Langston.

The ceremony ended with Jingle dress, Chicken Dance, and a feast for all guests in attendance.