Impact of spending by Blood First Nation felt strongly

“The Blood Tribe is a major contributor to the social and economic progress of the people of Southern Alberta,” said Rob Crow, director of Blood Tribe Economic Development.

The figures, as detailed by Crow, are impressive and illustrate the financial impact Blood Nation members have on both the reserve and neighbouring communities.
Based on a 2007 economic impact study, the Blood tribe spent over $241 million locally, with $66 million going to Lethbridge and $37.4 million to the Lethbridge area. The top three other municipalities that benefitted directly from Blood Tribe economic activities were Cardston at $22.3 million, Calgary at $15.8 million and Fort Macleod at $12.9 million.

As well, members spent $72.1 million within its own First Nation boundaries, in particular in the town of Standoff, which is the Blood’s business centre. The Blood First Nation is located in the heart of the prairie grasslands of southeastern Alberta. Covering a land mass of 356,755 acres of prime agricultural land, the reservation is the largest in Canada. With a population of over 10,000 members, the Kainayssini have a well-developed economy and seek new opportunities in agriculture, small business, resource, tourism and recreation and development of reserve lands.

Traditionally, the main economic base on the Blood reserve has been agriculture and oil and gas exploration. This traditional economy has expanded to include the ongoing development of both renewable and non-renewable resources. Renewable resources include 200,000 acres of cultivated land, a sizeable chunk of the reservation’s land mass, livestock producers, wind, fish and wildlife, forestry and water.

The Blood Tribe also views human resources as a renewable resource, specifically youth and education and, consequently, boasts a high number of post-secondary graduates in a variety of disciplines.
Non-renewable resources include 100 oil and gas wells, sand and gravel, coal, oyster shells and ammonite. Ammonite, preserved fossil shells of ancient sea life, is unique to the Black Bearpaw Shales area, as is brilliantly-coloured Ammolite, which has come to be known as Canada’s gemstone.

Local business ventures also contribute to the economy of the Blood Tribe. Kainai Industries, an 80,000-square-foot former housing plant opened in 1970, and Moccasin Flats Plaza, built in 1996, is a site for up to six small business operations. The Blood Tribe also supports small business development through grants, workshops and entrepreneurial resources. Future initiatives are focused on land purchases, an industrial-commercial development, an office complex, casino and resort, golf course and market-based housing.

Key criteria that Blood Economic Development seek in developing new partnerships and business relationships, said Crow, is ventures that create jobs and provide training for young people, produce profit, and tribal ownership and management. Following the principles of Kainaysinni and not damaging the land are also critical.

In Crow’s view, “The Blood Tribe and other proactive First Nations do offer emerging markets, skilled labour pools and investment opportunities that local, provincial and federal small to medium enterprises and industry need to take into consideration since in the end success and prosperity is what we all aspire to achieve. This is attainable if we develop relationships based on consultation, dialogue and mutual respect.”