Peacemaking program finally has a new home to call its own

By Lethbridge Herald on October 8, 2025.

Alexandra Noad
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

STAND OFF – A new facility on the Blood Reserve will be home to the Kanai Peacemaking Program and, it’s hoped, to a future circuit courtroom. 

Since 2008, the program has been revitalizing traditional Blackfoot practices into justice processes, while also helping Blood Tribe members learn their traditional ways of knowing.

The Blood Tribe utilized Anabel Crop Eared Wolf’s dissertation on Kainai peacekeeping and peacemaking, which was published in 2007.

When the Kainai Peacemaking Program began, the courts would often refer the older adults to the peacemakers but have recently expanded to referring young offenders to the Peacemakers.

On Tuesday, the Blood Tribe opened a new home base for the Peacemakers to work out of to better serve those navigating the justice system.

Makoyopisstooki (Chief Crop Eared Wolf) Peacemaking Centre has been in the works for the past 10 years.

Prior to the new building, Peacemakers were bouncing around between different office spaces, depending on what was available to them at the time.

During the grand opening, Eugene Creighton (Aakaota’si-Own’s Many Horses), of King’s Council, revealed the building is named after Makoyopisstooki (Chief Crop Eared Wolf), who was an advocate of treaty rights, protecting sovereignty and encouraged his people to never sell their land.

Many of Makoyopisstooki’s descendants were present at the opening of the facility and helped with the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Dorothy First Rider (Iitomomahka-Front Runner), lead Land Claims negotiator and member of the Blood Tribe, says this state-of-the-art- facility will provide a more inviting space for their clients.

“When clients do come, they’ll be in more of a relaxed setting, a more inviting setting and that will go towards solving a lot of the issues in a non-confrontational way.”

The building, which is located directly across from the Kainai Community Correction Society in Stand Off, was funded entirely by the Blood Tribe, with majority of the funds coming from a Land Claim Settlement Agreement 10 years ago.

Kirby Many Fingers, another member of Blood Tribe Council, says a lot of planning went into the facility from many stakeholders including elders, judges and prosecutors, however there is hopes of eventually opening a courtroom in the space.

“We’re hoping the next step will be to finalize the courtroom and hopefully there will be court being presided in this building in the very near future.”

He adds the court mandate will include crime, civil and family matters and the beginning stages of negotiations with the provincial government have begun.