By Dori Modney (@Dori_Modney on Twitter)

$6.2-million Kainai Marketplace opens on Blood Reserve

Dec 2, 2016 | 4:08 PM

STANDOFF –   It’s the only grocery store on the Blood Reserve and will now save Kainai First Nation people a 45-minute drive into Lethbridge for groceries.

The new community-owned grocery store will not only provide fresh food but, also 24 jobs for Blood Tribe members.
 
The $6.2-million Kainai Marketplace was funded through a partnership between the Nation and the Alberta government, which contributed $1.5 Million  through a pilot program that has since become the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund.
 
Another $1.5 Million was contributed by the Blood Tribe, which is covering the remaining costs through third-party financing.

Construction of the market involved 7,500 person-hours and involved local companies.

 Blood Tribe Economic Development Director Rob Crow, noted the real importance of the new market.

“The goal of the Kainai Marketplace grocery store is to bring affordable, fresh, healthy food products to on-reserve First Nation members who currently have no alternative to convenience store junk food. This is especially important considering the myriad of health issues and lack of nutritional choices that members face.”

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Last year, the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund provided $5 million for eight projects across the province and the province has set aside another $5 million for the fund this year.