Grenfell Campus is working toward Indigenization priorities with the commitment to fly Grand Council Flag of the Mi’kmaq Nation permanently on campus.

Dr. Vianne Timmons, OC, president and vice-chancellor, Memorial University, and Dr. Jeff Keshen, vice-president (Grenfell Campus), were presented a Grand Council Flag of the Mi’kmaq Nation by Chief Dr. Mi’sel Joe, Chief of Miawpukek First Nation, and Chief Brendan Mitchell, chief of Qalipu First Nation, on Saturday.

In a ceremony to take place in the coming months, the flag will be raised where it will fly at Grenfell Campus permanently. The flag will fly next to the Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Memorial University flags.

The Grand Council Flag, which signifies alliances between people in Mi’kmaq territory, features a cross which represents mankind, white to represent the purity of creation, the sun to represent the forces of the day and the moon to represent forces of the night.

In addition, Grenfell Campus proudly flies the flags of many of the province’s Indigenous groups in the Arts and Science atrium, along with flags representing students’ countries of origin.

“I thank Chief Dr. Mi’sel Joe, Chief Brendan Mitchell and the Mi’kmaq Grand Council for presenting us this gift,” said Dr. Timmons. “The lands that we study on, benefit from and where Memorial’s campuses are located have been occupied, managed and governed since time immemorial by Indigenous Peoples. As president I recognize the importance of having this flag on display at Grenfell; as a person of Mi’kmaw descent, I’ll be thrilled to see it flying.”

Reconciliation in Canada takes many forms, said Chief Mitchell.

“Several months ago, Qalipu First Nation made a request to Dr. Timmons to have the Mi’kmaq Grand Council Flag flown permanently at Grenfell Campus,” said Chief Mitchell.

“On behalf of our Nation, I am pleased to see that we are taking an important step today in presenting the flag to be flown at Grenfell campus, on the traditional territory of the Qalipu First Nation. I thank President Timmons and Vice-President Keshen for acknowledging the Mi’kmaq Nation in Newfoundland. Today, we mark an important step toward our own reconciliation, with the Grand Council flag being proudly displayed in recognition of the First Peoples of this province. I also wish to thank the Mi’kmaq Grand Council for its support in this significant milestone.”

The flying of the Grand Council flag, a flag that has been flown since the nineteenth century, is a sign and symbol of opportunity to teach others about the Grand Council, said Chief Joe.

“I hope people see this as a schoolbook, not just a piece of fabric, that will teach us about hundreds of years of the history of our people,” said Chief Joe. “Mi’kmaq people have an obligation to educate people. The more we know, the more we can learn. We can look to this flag and how our history is being taught in schools and universities as has been identified as an important part of Truth and Reconciliation.”

There are more than 300 Indigenous (having First Nations, Inuit, or Métis ancestry) currently enrolled Grenfell Campus.

“We value our role as leaders in creating opportunity for Indigenous populations, and we recognize we have much to learn as we work toward Indigenization,” said Dr. Keshen. “The raising of the Grand Council Flag is an ongoing territorial acknowledgement that Grenfell Campus is situated on Mi’kmaw territory. This is a significant step towards building a campus that celebrates the ancestry and cultures of our Indigenous students.”

To watch a video of the presentation, please click here https://youtu.be/VxMzP9W1t3Q

Representatives of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, the traditional governing body of the Mi’kmaq people, recently visited Newfoundland to meet with the Qalipu Chief and Council, and community members.  Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy, Grand Keptin Antle Denny,  Keptin Stephen Augustine spent the weekend on the west coast including a meet and greet in Corner Brook, attendance at a Council meeting, a visit to the community of Flat Bay and a potluck feast and community gathering at the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre in St. Georges, the oldest recorded Mi’kmaq settlement on the island. Grand Council Keptin Mi’sel Joe, Chief of Miawpukek First Nation was also on hand during the visit.

Grand Keptin Antle Denny, spokesperson for the Grand Council, noted that the visit to Newfoundland was an acknowledgement of the extended Mi’kmaq family in Newfoundland, the eastern edge of the traditional Mi’kmaq territory, Mi’kma’ki.  He said, “We were happy to visit and meet some of our relations, visit communities and acknowledge our extended Mi’kmaq family.  Unity is the Mi’kmaq way.”

Building relationships with Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia and throughout the broader Indigenous community has been an important priority for Chief Mitchell and Council.  In 2018, the Band was formally recognized and accepted as a member of the Assembly of First Nations and in April of 2019, Qalipu was brought into the group known as the Atlantic Policy Congress.  Relationship building with the Mi’kmaq Grand Council is another important step for the Band and the communities it represents.

Qalipu Chief Brendan Mitchell was pleased to welcome the Grand Council delegation, the first visit of its kind in the province.  He said, “I’m extremely honoured and pleased that the Grand Council made this inaugural visit to Newfoundland to meet our Council and membership and visit our communities.  It was an opportunity for us to share with them who we are and hear about the history of the Grand Council.”

Many community members came out to meet the special guests including Michelle Bennett who presented a special gift for Chief Stephen Augustine.  She said, “I loved watching his creation story on YouTube, so I decided to paint what I was hearing.  It doesn’t matter how many times I hear him tell the story, it’s powerful every single time.”

Chief Mitchell added that the Qalipu First Nation looks forward to a long-lasting and positive relationship going forward with the Grand Council.

November 7, 2019 Corner Brook—The Qalipu First Nation wishes to advise its membership and the broader Indigenous community of a special visit coming up next weekend, November 15-17, from several members of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, the traditional governing body of the Mi’kmaq people. Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy, Grand Keptin Antle Denny and Elder Stephen Augustine will be welcomed by Qalipu Chief Brendan Mitchell in Corner Brook.

“We are so pleased to have a delegation from the Grand Council visit Qalipu territory for the first time,” Chief Brendan Mitchell remarked.   “Grand Chief Sylliboy and Grand Keptin Denny invited me to attend Treaty Day in Nova Scotia, and I was received with the warmest hospitality.  I look forward to offering the same kindness as they prepare to visit us in Newfoundland.”

The group will spend the weekend in the area with plans to include spending the day with the Qalipu Council for a meet and greet; and on the following day, plan on attending a Council meeting, taking a scenic drive into Flat Bay, and enjoying a community potluck feast at the Friendship Centre in St. George’s where everyone is welcome to come out and spend time with our special guests.

Building relationships with Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia and throughout the broader Mi’kmaq community in Atlantic Canada, has been an important priority for Chief Mitchell and Council.  In 2018, Qalipu First Nation was formally recognized and accepted as a member of the Assembly of First Nations and in April of 2019, Qalipu was brought into the group known as the Atlantic Policy Congress.  Relationship building with the Mi’kmaq Grand Council is another important step for the Band and the communities it represents.

Chief Mitchell added, “Our inclusion into the AFN, APC and acknowledgement by the Mi’kmaq Grand Council are important to us; it is part of our reconciliation as Mi’kmaq people.  Friendships are being formed, and relationships are being established.  It is a good time for the Qalipu First Nation.”

The next regular meeting of the Chief and Council will take place in Grand Falls-Windsor at the Mount Peyton Hotel (Mill Room) on Saturday, Nov 04, 2023, from 11 am to 3 pm.

To register to attend this meeting, please call 709-634-5111

Qalipu First Nation is pleased to share that Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy will visit Newfoundland this summer at the Elmastukwek Mawio’mi at the Blow Me Down Cross Country Ski Club Cross Country Ski Club on August 12^th, 2023.  Chief Sylliboy will provide the opening prayer at the Sunrise Ceremony and speak with guests during the morning’s sharing and learning sessions.   This is the Grand Chief’s second visit to the island following an inaugural visit by the Grand Council in 2019.

Sherry Dean, one of the lead event organizers and Qalipu Ward Councilor for Corner Brook is buzzing with excitement about the confirmed visit which came about following an invitation from the Qalipu Chief and Council.

“I just can’t believe we will have the Grand Chief with us for this very special day.  We’re so excited! I’m grateful that Chief Brendan had the courage and the foresight to bring the Grand Chief down for this.    He brought the idea to Council, to invite the Grand Chief and cover the costs.”

Sherry noted that there are many other special guests who will be attending the Mawio’mi as well including Elder Roger Augustine, Elder George Paul, Don Barnaby, Elder Tulley Paul and some of our local Elders as well.

“Dr. Elder Calvin White and Dr. Elder Odelle Pike will be there.  They have both been so supportive since the conception stages of this event a few years ago and they continue to be supportive.  We’re blessed to have such strong Indigenous people in our community who are so supportive and willing to give guidance.”

The morning portion of the day, which includes the Sunrise Ceremony at 6:00 am followed by a free community breakfast, will be largely centered around sharing and learning with special guests, then in the afternoon, there will be a Grand Entry, music, vendors, and dancing.

“This will be our chance to socialize, enjoy our connection to the land and each other.  We will be joined by the Spirit Bay Drummers, The Conne River Youth Drum, and Paul Pike on the flute and we’ll play some recorded music as well.”

Sherry noted that while the Mawio’mi itself is a one-day event, the planning committee has partnered with Grenfell to offer additional events the day before, on Friday, August 11^th including talks, workshops, and smudge teachings.  One of the events will be the film screening of the award-winning documentary, You Can Call Me Roger.  The film is based on the life story and lived experience of Elder Roger Augustine who will attend the screening.

Find more details about the Elmastukwek Mawio’mi, and partner events at Grenfell, by visiting their Facebook group.

Youth at the inaugural Mawita’jik Maljewe’jk youth gathering, held September 13-15 at West Haven in Pasadena, held an election to choose their youth representative seat at the Qalipu Council table.  Jessica Saunders of Bishop’s Falls was elected and on November 16 attended her first meeting of Council.

At the meeting, Jessica made her oath of office and took part in a Swearing-in Ceremony.

Following the day, Jessica noted, “it was really awesome to hear from the Grand Council.  They spoke a lot about the unity of our people which really resonated with me. I felt very accepted and I know that any ideas or input I have in the future will be openly received by the Council. I’m very excited to be this voice for the youth and the council seemed very happy to have me there, and everyone made a point to speak to me and shake my hand and welcome me which was awesome. I’m really looking forward to the future and the opportunities that will come with this!”

Welcome aboard, Jessica!