HOME OF THE KAINAI NATION
The Blood Tribe welcomes you to visit our website. With approximately 12,000 members situated on the largest reserve in Canada, we share with you our tribal administration, entities and the many features which comprise our position within the Blackfoot Confederacy, Treaty Seven and beyond.We invite you to view features of the Blood Tribe Administration, our entities and current and historical aspects of the contemporary and traditional Blackfoot way of life in the 21st Century. Also, you are encouraged to read our tribal magazine ‘Tsinikssini’ (Sharing of News) of events, activities and many topics designed to share a little of what we do on the Blood reserve. The sharing of information has long been a way of communicating between the First peoples of this land. Today, that method continues through print, audio and the growing social mediums which distribute news and information almost instantaneously.The Blood Tribe encourages the sharing and distribution of information to our people and for those interested in tribal activities, opportunities and interests. We welcome you to the Blood Tribe. To reach the Blood Tribe Administration front desk, call: 1-403-737-3753
NEWS
FIRE BAN
FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS
May 7, 2013
Due to the extremely dry conditions we are currently experiencing, The Blood Tribe Fire Department must enforce a FIRE BAN effective immediately.
FIRE BAN DEFINITION: A Fire Ban is a ban placed upon the members of the reserve (or residents of any area) that prohibits burning of anything at any time. A Fire Ban is issued dependant upon current weather conditions, crop and land dryness, and the availability of a ready water supply.
NOTICE
Blood Reserve Fire Ban is currently issued until further notice
No one is permitted to burn garbage, or any other materials on the reserve. If you have questions about the Fire Ban, you may phone the business line at the Fire Hall at 737-2102 and ask to speak to the Fire Chief or his representative, but you will not be granted permission to burn, you will only be given more detailed advice about the Fire Ban and the expected duration of the Fire Ban.
PRESS STATEMENT - May 13, 2013
PRESS STATEMENT
Re: | Bill 22 – Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act |
The Blood Tribe, like other First Nations in Alberta was shocked to learn about the introduction of the proposed Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act (the "Act") in the Alberta Legislature last week. Today we hear that Bill 22 may be dealt with this evening in the Legislature. First Nations have been clear that we are opposed to this legislation as it discriminatory and unconstitutional. The Government of Alberta ("Alberta") has completely disregarded our constitutionally protected rights by providing no notice to First Nations that this legislation was imminent and has not consulted with First Nations regarding the Act whatsoever.
First Nations have had very limited opportunity to date to discuss the proposed new Consultation Policy with government representatives. We were clear that we are opposed to a levy on First Nations consultation and any requirement to disclose agreements between First Nations and natural resource companies. Alberta has failed to explain how such measures will work or benefit First Nations, or the resource sector. Instead, the Alberta has introduced the Act in the face of those concerns, before a meaningful consultation process on the proposed new Consultation Policy has completed, and before any consultation about the Act whatsoever. Alberta’s decision to introduce this legislation makes it clear to us that the Province does not understand the scope or breadth of First Nation constitutionally protected Treaty and Aboriginal rights or the Crown's duty to consult and accommodate. Of even equal concern is the complete lack of respect Alberta is demonstrating by proceeding in this manner without our engagement.
We will be reviewing the proposed Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act in more detail. Our initial concerns are as follows:
The Aboriginal Consultation Levy Actis discriminatory:
The legislation would require disclosure of details of First Nations’ private agreements and relationships with natural resource companies on the sole basis that we are Aboriginal. It has long been the practice of resource companies to enter into agreements with non-Aboriginal land owners and public land lease holders regarding access and other issues. Why would Aboriginal peoples be required to disclose our agreements with resource companies but non-Aboriginal peoples would not? The proposed disclosure requirement raises a serious discriminationissue.
Alberta has overstepped its Constitutional authority:
The proposed legislation would empower the Minister to determine who is and who is not aboriginal for the purpose of consultation about Treaty rights. It is well established in law that Provincial governments do not have the authority under the Constitutionto legislate regarding Aboriginal identity. The constitutionality of the Act is questionable given the division of powers under the Constitution. Further, since time immemorial, First Nations have had an inherent right to govern our own identity and membership. This right is protected by Treaty Six and the Constitution, and acknowledged by the United Nations as noted below.
The legislation violates the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to which Canada is a signatory, prohibits discrimination against Indigenous communities and nations and requires governments to consult in good faith with Indigenous peoples on matters that affect our rights in order to obtain our "free, prior and informed consent before adopting and implementing legislative measures…" that may affect us. The Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act offends Article 33 of the UN Declaration which is very clear that "Indigenous peoples have the right to determine their own identity … in accordance with their customs and traditions." Why has the Government of Alberta chosen to disregard these accepted international standards for the treatment of Aboriginal peoples?
We demand that the Government of Alberta immediately withdraw the proposed Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act from the legislative process and take immediate steps to respect our Treaty and Aboriginal rights, the Constitution, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
For more information call:
Rick Tail Feathers
Blood Tribe Communications Department
(403) 737-3753
For immediate release - Blood Tribe Chief and Council April. 29/2013
Windstorm Wreaks Havoc on Northend of Blood Reserve. The dust storm through much of southern Alberta on Saturday caused kaos to some residents of the Blood Reserve. With winds of over 100km/h. and visibility nearly nil, members of the Canadian Red Cross Personal Disaster Assistance Team were called in to assist 16 adults and seven children affected. There were approximately 7 homes affected. The Red Cross provided them with emergency food and accommodation for 72 hours.
The dust storm was especially bad at the northend of the reserve where a grassfire last fall caused the land to become exposed and subject to soil erosion. Residents in the area were at great risk with poor visibility coupled with a power failure that lasted 24 hours. There were reports of difficulty breathing by some.
AltaLink received an alarm at its main control centre at 7 p.m. Saturday indicating a problem at the substation that feeds Fort Macleod and the surrounding area."We dispatched crews to take a look and, in the attempts to restore, we found a fairly significant problem with the transformer there," said Scott Schreiner, AltaLink's director of communications. The power was restored by 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
Chief Charles Weaselhead has expressed his concern over the well being of those affected by the windstorm and has requested the administration continue to assist those individuals if necessary. The storm has caused extensive damage to some of the homes where the dust has penetrated the house and covered the inside on furniture etc. It will be necessary to do a major clean-up.
The Blood Tribe Administration will continue to assist those that were displaced by the storm, and will be looking at a number of options in providing temporary accomodations and disaster relief. At the present time clean-up operations by the residents of the homes have begun, with again the wind picking up again.
For more information contact Rick Tailfeathers (403) 308-0760.
LANDS DEPT - PUBLIC NOTICE
APRIL 23, 2013
RE: 2013 CROP PRODUCTION & GRAZING RENTAL INCREASES ON BLOOD RESERVE LANDS
Pursuant to the above Blood Tribe Council Directive ratified on Monday, October 29, 2012, the following rental rates on Blood Reserve land came into effect on April 1, 2013:
CROP PRODUCTION RENTAL RATES:
Blood Tribe Council approved that the crop rental rate on the Blood Reserve increased to $75/acre (up from $45/acre), with Blood Reserve Land Occupants receiving 76% of total crop rent and the Blood Tribe receiving the balance of 24% of total crop rental proceeds. This changes the previous amount received by Blood Reserve Land Occupants, which was 95%, with 5% retained by the Blood Tribe Land Management Department to supplement program operations.
Of the 24% of total crop rental proceeds that will be retained by the Blood Tribe, 5% will continue to be disbursed to the Blood Tribe Land Management Department operations and disbursement of the remaining 19%, will be determined by Blood Tribe Council. Until it is determined by Blood Tribe Council where the 19% of crop proceeds will be disbursed, these revenues are being held in trust. Once Blood Tribe Council has determined where these revenues will be disbursed, the Blood Tribe Public will be informed.
The previous (2012) crop production rental rates of $45/acre for Blood Reserve Land Occupants (net $42.75/acre) increased to $60/acre (net $57/acre).
The crop proceeds for Road Allowances under crop production will now be collected by the Blood Tribe to subsidize road maintenance costs. Land Occupants affected will be informed by the Blood Tribe Land Management Department.
GRAZING RENTAL RATES:
The current grazing rental rates of $30/Animal Unit Month (AUM) for Blood Reserve Land Occupants will increase to $35/AUM.
Payment schedules for land occupants renting Grazing land will continue to be on a monthly basis from June - September. As was the case last Fiscal Year, due to Auditor and Finance recommendations, advances on Grazing proceeds cannot be authorized that occur in a future Fiscal Year and can only be authorized in the event of a death in the family or a family medical emergency occurring within the current Fiscal Year.
