The Blood Tribe is moving forward with a major expansion of the Kainai Continuing Care Centre that will double the number of beds available to elders in the community. An official sod-turning ceremony was held on September 10, 2026, marking the start of construction on the $24 million project, which includes a $3.5 million contribution from Blood Tribe Chief and Council.
The expansion will increase capacity from 25 to 50 beds, adding 20 supportive living beds and 5 specialized dementia care beds. The new dementia unit is especially significant because, until now, residents who needed that level of care had to leave the reserve and move away from family and familiar surroundings.
According to the Blood Tribe, the new three-story, apartment-style building will include a cultural space, kitchen area, salon care, a secure dementia unit, administrative space, and a gathering space for families. Construction is expected to begin shortly, with a tentative completion date of spring 2028.
Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge-East and Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, attended the ceremony on behalf of the provincial government. The Blood Tribe is one of only a handful of First Nations in Canada operating a continuing care facility on reserve.
Kash Shade, CEO of the Blood Tribe Department of Health, said the day was the result of many years of hard work from past and present department leaders. The expansion is part of a broader push to improve healthcare infrastructure on the Blood Tribe, including the recent opening of an Indigenous-led recovery community.
