Left to right: Chief Roy Fox, William Singer, Clo Ann Wells, Dr. Leroy Little Bear and Premier Jason Kenny discuss Iinnii (Buffalo), a Keystone Species of the Plains People at The Blood Tribe Lands Management Buffalo paddock. (Photo: Blood Tribe Communications - Tsinikssini)

By Justin Goulet

Alberta Premier takes a tour on the Blood Reserve

Jul 29, 2021 | 8:44 AM

STAND OFF, AB – Alberta’s Premier visited the Blood Tribe this week.

Jason Kenney took a tour of the Blood Reserve on Tuesday, July 27, accompanied by provincial government officials as well as representatives from the Blood Tribe, including Chief Roy Fox “Makiinima”.

Kenney visited several different locations such as Kainai Forage, the Makiinima Building at the Blood Tribe Agricultural Project, the new Red Crow Community College site, the Blood Tribe Lands Management Buffalo paddock. The Premier also attended the Sundance Pow Wow.

Blood Tribe Communications documented Kenney’s visit on their Facebook page, which you can see here.

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A full video recapping the tour has also been produced by the Blood Tribe, which can be seen below.

Kenney offered comment at the sites and while at the construction site of the new Red Crow College building, he said that, “one of the really cool things I just learned is that there are dozens of apprentices for the trades working on this building, all of them from the Blood Tribe.”

“That’s a great program because they’re learning those skills as well as part of Red Crow College’s Industrial Arts program.”

READ MORE: $48-million announced to rebuild Red Crow Community College campus after 2015 fire

While checking out the Blood Tribe Agricultural Project (BTAP) – which will operate and maintain the irrigation system of the Blood Reserve, Kenney said “taking this land of your people and turning it into crops that are in demand around the world – I’ve seen a level of business sophistication, of agricultural sophistication, of global marketing sophistication, it’s amazing.”

“What you’re building here with the support of Indigena Capital, I think is going to be a model for the rest of Canada on how First Nations can be partners in prosperity.”

The Premier’s tour on the Blood Reserve wrapped up at Akers Land Development.

The following day, July 28, Kenney spoke in Lethbridge at a Chamber of Commerce event.

READ MORE: Kenney touts Alberta’s “culture of resilience” as economy rebounds

Kenney was accompanied at the Chamber event by Alberta’s Minister of Finance Travis Toews.