Message From the Chief

 

Message From The Chief (Published February 27, 2015)

Kwe’ members,

On behalf of the executive and ward representatives, I extend sincere greetings to all and hope that each of you is experiencing good health.

It is evident that Mother Nature feels there is a need for more snow, I guess it is a sign that the earth needs to be replenished with a supply of water to prepare for the summer months.

In using a few Mi’kmaq words obtained by the Communications Coordinator Alison White, Mawpmit’jik Qalipu’k which means ‘the caribou are travelling together’.  I believe the community minded way of the caribou can help guide us, the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation people, to be a strong community that works together.

In this message, I feel it is important to acknowledge the success of Qalipu to date as a result of the dedication and hard work of the CEO, directors, managers and staff of Qalipu, it is these people who make Qalipu the credible Indian Act Band we are today.

For the month of February we have a lot to share: we have some great pictures and a story on the launch of the Qalipu Cultural Foundation, a new branch of Qalipu that holds the promise of helping to connect Qalipu members with information and experiences to preserve and promote our shared heritage and history.

This month we also showcase some of the environmental stewardship work of the Qalipu Natural Resource Division, including their recent round of seminars on Species at Risk and the importance of Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge in their research.

For several initiatives, such as the development of a Tourism and Arts and Crafts Strategy, and our Traditional Use Study currently underway in the Wards of Flat Bay and Stephenville, we invite you, our members, to share your thoughts and experiences in order to help guide our organization.

Finally, this month we showcase some exciting upcoming events both ours, and those we have heard about from your community leaders.

I invite you all to read on and stay in touch.

Chief Brendan Sheppard

Click here to read our February Newsletter, Mawpmita’jik Qalipu’k

 

Latest News

Mawpmita’jik Qalipu’k February Newsletter now available (Published February 27, 2015)

 Mawpmita’jik Qalipu’k is Qalipu’s monthly newsletter.  Please read to  stay tuned on program updates, upcoming events, opportunities to be involved and other information that may be of interest to our members.

Click here to read

 

 

 

Mawio’mi 2015 (Published February 26, 2015)

A key measure within the Qalipu Strategic Plan is the degree to which we are able to provide support to Aboriginal Entrepreneurs. One of those support tools is Mawio’mi 2015, our fourth annual business forum where we will bring our members together to network with key industry officials.

The intent of Mawio’mi 2015 is to provide our entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to avail of the various business opportunities that are present within the provincial economy. We will highlight the many procurement and supplier development opportunities that exist within the Hebron, Muskrat Falls and Maritime Link projects.

This year’s event will be hosted in Stephenville on March 26^th at the Days Inn. We are pleased to offer free registration however, space is limited.  Registration is currently available online at http://qalipu.ca/mawiomi-2015/ or by calling Nicole at (709) 634-8043.

 

 

Traditional Land Use Study (Published February 18, 2014)
Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation is currently updating its Traditional Land Use Study in the Flat Bay and Stephenville Wards.  During the months of February and March interviewers Alan Tait, Nina Tourette-Retieffe, Ivan White and Michelle Matthews will be collecting information about Qalipu members’ knowledge of land use and food harvesting within his/her lifetime.  This will include collecting information on cultural connections to the land.

To participate in an interview, individuals must be a member of the Qalipu Band and at least 18 years of age. Some members have already been interviewed during the Traditional Land Use Study conducted by the Federation of Newfoundland Indians in 1999. However, these people will also be invited to participate again which will allow us to keep the study current.

To arrange your interview time and location please contact Michelle Matthews, Cultural Researcher and TUS Project Manager, at email mmatthews@qalipu.ca or Tel. 640-2781 or 647-1370

 

Arts and Crafts Consultations (Published February 11, 2015)
One of the most visible signs of Mi’kmaq culture and heritage is seen in the unique creations of our artisans and crafts people.  The Qalipu Cultural Foundation, with the support of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, hopes to bring these ambassadors of our culture together at a series of consultation sessions coming up in an area near you.  Read

 

January, 2015 Newsletter now available (Published January 30, 2015)

Kwe’ Members,

We hear you! Communication is important to you and it’s important to us, too.  We are committed to keeping the lines open and will continue to reach out to you via our Facebook page, Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band, with regular email’s to members, newsletters like this one, and on our website, Qalipu.ca.  Click here to read the newsletter.

 

Fundraising Success (Published January 27, 2015)
This past Christmas Qalipu staff at our St. George’s, Corner Brook, Glenwood and Grand Falls-Windsor offices raised $1344.00 for charity—so demonstrating that a little effort from each of us can go a long way.

Charity fundraising is something the Band engages in throughout the year and, in particular, around Christmas time.

The 2014 Christmas donation was appreciated by: The Corner Brook Transition House, The St. Joseph’s and St. Anne’s Parish (St. George’s) who used the funds toward their Christmas Food Hampers; Food Banks administered by The Salvation Army (Grand Falls-Windsor) and by the Glenwood Fire Department.

 

Healing Waters Project focus’ on health needs of members and the importance of culture-based healing (Published January 21, 2015)
The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation (QMFN) has recently launched a new initiative, Healing Waters.  This research, consultation and assessment based project should result in a greater awareness of membership needs, and how to meet those needs, in the area of health and wellness.

Health is a priority for QMFN.  In 2010, a Health Needs Assessment study of Off-Reserve Mi’Kmaq people in Western and Central Newfoundland was completed.  The study focused on communities with high concentrations of Mi’kmaq residents, and included a detailed survey on the health-related practices of Mi’kmaq individuals in those areas.  It also delved into the existing health care services available and noted areas for service improvement.   Read

 

Job Interview Skills Training (Published January 7, 2015)
Are you getting invited to interviews but not getting job offers? Do you want to be able to communicate your skills and abilities to an employer? An interview is a marketing situation, where you have the opportunity to sell yourself to an organization. The better you know what you are selling, the more successful you can be. Regardless of whether an interview is for full-time work, a summer position, or for professional school, preparation is crucial to an effective interview.   Read 

RCMP/Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Summer Student Program (Published January 7, 2015)
The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band and the RCMP are working together to build a worthwhile work experience for aboriginal youth who are interested in a career in policing and/or justice. This exciting job opportunity will give you an insightful look at the RCMP and may help you decide if this is a career opportunity you wish to pursue. This job opportunity is nine (9) weeks in duration from June-August 2015.  Successful applicants will attend a one week training session at the RCMP Headquarters in St. John’s prior to being placed at the RCMP detachment closest to their location. This program is a great stepping stone for individuals interested in pursuing a career with the RCMP.    Read

Public Notice (Published December 22, 2014)
To better serve our members Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band will begin processing Medical Transportation Benefit claims for its members residing in Atlantic Canada. Effective January 1, 2015 Qalipu will be accepting medical transportation claims from registered members of the central electoral wards of Gander Bay, Glenwood and Exploits and who are also living in Atlantic Canada.  During the winter of 2015 Qalipu will continue to perfect the operations of processing the central electoral ward member’s claims.   In April 2015, a further notice will be provided regarding Qalipu processing claims from all other members living within Atlantic Canada.  All other claims such as dental, prescription drugs, vision and mental health must continue to be submitted to Health Canada.   Read

The Qalipu Artisans and Crafters Residency Program (Published December 16, 2014)
The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation is pleased to support the development of Mi’kmaq Art and Indigenous Craft with the launch of a new pilot project: The Qalipu Artisans and Crafters Residency Program. Qalipu has partnered with the Corner Brook Rotary Arts Centre to provide an emerging Mi’kmaq artist or craft person the opportunity to utilize space of a professional art studio in the new Corner Brook Rotary Arts Centre. The new multi-purpose arts centre includes a 100-seat theatre, art gallery, artists’ studios and exhibition space.  Read

Expiry of SCIS Cards for Children (Published December 3, 2014)
Please note that all SCIS (Secure Certificate of Indian Status) cards have a set date to which they will expire. This occurs on all members’ birth dates, with adults expiring in a 10 year time frame, and children’s in a 3 year time frame.

With this being said, it should be noted that the majority of children’s SCIS cards will be expiring in 2015. Parents must re-apply for a new card for their children to ensure they have a card to present to avail of all services offered by Health Canada.

To apply for a renewal SCIS card parents must apply for a new card within 6 months of the card expiring, and complete the following:

• The expiring SCIS Card will have to be returned with the application to the SCIS National Processing Unit
• Complete a new SCIS Parent or Guardian Application. If members are not receiving assistance from one of our offices they will have to fill out a Guarantor Declaration form as well
• New passport photos must be included. If members need the Guarantor then that person must sign the back of the photo that is stamped,
• Photocopies of parents ID’s, both front and back (this could include your Provincial Driver’s License and Health Cards, example MCP). Again, if Guarantor is used then they must sign the photocopies as true copies of your original IDs.

Parents will not have to include their children’s original long form birth certificate as there is already a certified copy with the SCIS National Processing Unit.

All completed applications must then be sent to:

SCIS National Processing Unit
10 Wellington Street
Gatineau, QC
K1A 0H4

If you have any questions or concerns, or just need assistance with filling out the application, please feel free to contact Charmaine Bath, Indian Registration Administrator, at (709) 679-2142, or by email at cbath@qalipu.ca

 

Archive

Events

Town Hall Meeting for all Qalipu Members from the Corner Brook and Benoit’s Cove Wards. (Published February 26, 2015)

On Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 7:00 pm Qalipu Ward Councilors Brendan Mitchell and Bernard White invite members from the Corner Brook and Benoit’s Cove Wards to meet with them at the Pepsi Centre in Corner Brook.

The purpose of this meeting will be to keep members informed on Qalipu social programs, services, and benefits.

The meeting will also feature a presentation from Workforce Qalipu Director Keith Goulding who will be on hand to talk about economic development.

For more information please contact Brendan Mitchell at Tel. 634-2826 or email bmitchell@qalipu.ca

Lecture at Grenfell Campus Memorial University (Published February 24, 2015)

On March 2, 2015 at 7:00 pm Grenfell Campus Memorial University will host a lecture titled: Indigenous Sami culture and traditional healing: between professional and popular knowledge.  Click here to view the poster.

 

Aboriginal Arts & Stories Youth Contest (Published December 1, 2014)
Aboriginal Arts & Stories is a national educational initiative that invites First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth (ages 11-29) to submit creative writing or two-dimensional artwork about their culture and heritage. Participants have a chance to win up to $2,000; a trip to the annual awards ceremony, and have their work published or exhibited. Finalists are selected by a jury comprised of celebrated Aboriginal writers and artists, including Shirley Moorhouse, Kent Monkman, Maxine Noel, Lee Maracle, and Drew Hayden Taylor, among many others.

The contest is an opportunity for youth to share stories of their families, communities, ancestors, as well as personal stories, with an audience across the country. Now in its 11^th year, more than 2,000 youth have participated in the contest to date. This year’s deadline is March 31, 2015. Visit www.our-story.ca for full guidelines, prizing information, previous winning submissions, and to submit an entry.

Aboriginal Arts & Stories is a program of Historica Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Canadian history and heritage.

 

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