Expression of Interest-Consulting Services
The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band (QMFNB) anticipates that a continuous need for consulting services will be required over the next few years. The Band is currently involved in post-secondary education, labour market data collection, employment, organizational development, community economic development and cultural enhancement. Click here for more information.
ASETS Youth Program – 2013
The Government of Canada is partnering with Aboriginal Communities to provide necessary resources for Aboriginal youth to succeed in the job market and build a bright future for themselves and their families. Under the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS), Aboriginal agreement holders determine the type of youth programs to deliver based on the needs of the Aboriginal youth who are being served.
Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation is an ASETS agreement holder and has an ASETS Youth Program that provides aboriginal youth an opportunity to gain employment during the summer months with local employers in their own communities.
For more information Click Here
Aboriginal Art Institute
The College of the North Atlantic’s Visual Arts Faculty at Bay St. George Campus are offering two (1) week Aboriginal Art Institutes. Both institutes will introduce the student to the form and function of traditional and contemporary aboriginal art practice through interaction with guest artists and specialized instructors.
Click here for more information.
Message from the Chief – March 22, 2013
Unfortunately I’m not able to give you an update that we, Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI), have an agreement to continue the enrollment process as of today however; we are meeting regularly to address the issues that have arisen in the enrolment process, including the unexpectedly large number of applications received and the fact that the deadline for dealing with applications has expired.
The original intent of the 2008 Agreement for the Recognition of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band was to recognize the Mi’kmaq group of Indians of Newfoundland. This Agreement brought resolution to a court case initiated in 1989 by the Federation of Newfoundland Indians, which represented approximately 7,800 members at the time, seeking eligibility for registration under the Indian Act. When the agreement was signed, both Canada and FNI estimated that the First Nation would be comprised of approximately 8,700 to 12,000 members. It was neither reasonable nor credible to expect more than 100,000 applications to be members of the Qalipu band, given the numbers of individuals who identified themselves as members of the Mi’kmaq group of Indians of Newfoundland when the agreement was signed. In fact, according to the 2006 Census, there were approximately 23,450 residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who identified themselves as Aboriginal. Furthermore, it has become clear that the majority of the more than 100,000 applicants appear to no longer reside in those communities. In fact, FNI and Canada estimate that almost 70 per cent of the applicants do not reside in any of the Mi’kmaq communities targeted for recognition in this initiative, but elsewhere in Canada.
The goal of the current discussions is to find a solution that will treat everyone fairly and equally. At the same time, it is necessary to arrive at a solution that ensures integrity and fairness in the enrollment process and reflects the original intention of the parties. We know that many people have applied in good faith, and wish to be advised of what is happening. The parties hope to be able to arrive at an agreement soon and provide further details. Please be assured that all applications received during the Enrolment Process are and will continue to be stored in access-controlled and secure location. The information provided is protected under, and will be treated in accordance with, the Privacy Act and the Access to Information Act.
