Blood Tribe launches app to engage members

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on March 21, 2023.

The Kainai Nation has launched a new mobile communications app in order to help stay connected with their members and provide a greater level of community engagement.

Running on the platform, Communikit, the app will help bridge the gap between members on and off the reserve with a centralized area of information in one place. The app will be used to distribute important information, emergency alerts, announcements, events, forms, and job opportunities for the community.

“This is one of those simple technological advancements that serve many purposes for our tribe,” said Piinaakoyim Tailfeathers, Blood Tribe councillor.

“It will alleviate some of those communication barriers of the past. It is very practical for some of our older communication barriers – not everyone is on social media to participate in our other channels of information. We saw this as a good addition to the communication channels, ensuring that our members feel informed and up to speed on tribal matters. With almost 13,000 members, and thousands living away from home, we can now feel connected. Members will have links to participate in our votes as well as ratification votes. Our members will be able to access that information instantaneously.”

Since it launched Feb. 17, members members have been able to download the app on their Apple or Android phones by searching “Blood Tribe/Kainaiwa” in their app store.

“We have had 433 members register so far,” said Pam Blood, Director of Communications for the Blood Tribe Administration.

“It gets the full information out and people can see it directly. Our website does that, but in terms of the app, it has additional features that will help provide more access to some of the events on the reserve.”

Blood notes the app will help with event planning, application deadlines, job postings and staying connected with Blood Tribe administration and other organizations on the reserve.

The app comes with two levels of access, public and band members. “There is sensitive information that will come from our tribal government, and the benefit of this app is our members can sign in with their band number and we can share information that is just for them instantaneously,” said Tailfeathers.

“We get that factual information to the people right away. This is really important; it is safer than other mediums of communication.”

The app will also help provide information on an administrative level.

“It’s an educational tool, as well. We want to educate more of our members on what each of the departments are doing,” said Blood. “To share that wealth of knowledge is really important for our community to learn about, but also understand.”

Using technology to help stay connected within the community, the app will become a platform for the Blood Tribe to stay connected even when apart.

“We have around 6,000 members living off reserve,” said Tailfeathers. “Many of them move away to go to school or go to work, any of those things, and this gives us that opportunity to make sure that they feel connected to the tribe and that we can ensure they are informed.”