Meet The Chief and Council 2024-2028

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Chief Brake was elected as the Western Vice-Chief in 2021 and served 10 months as Interim Chief before being elected in October 2024. Chief Brake brings a diverse background and experience as a welder, artist and community advocate. She strives to foster meaningful relationships and promotes the advancement of the people she represents.

Chief Brake’s dedication extends to broader Indigenous platforms, serving on the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee, and on a national level at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Chief’s Committee on Charter Renewal as well as the AFN Fisheries Committee and AFN Economic Development Committee. She is an ambassador with the Canadian Seals and Sealing Network and sits on the Newfoundland and Labrador’s RCMP Commanding Officer’s Indigenous Advisory Committee.

Chief Brake is committed to increasing Mi’kmaw visual representation in our communities and uplifting and promoting other artists. She is well known for her contribution to the Mikwite’km Garden with her centrepiece image “Don’t Forget Me, Mukk-aqanta’sualiq”.

Supported by her family, Chief Brake remains steadfast in her dedication to the growth of Qalipu First Nation and the preservation of Mi’kmaq values and traditions.

Colleen grew up in Badger, NL where she was surrounded by the teachings of her parents John Paul and Madonna and the love of her six siblings. Her experiences throughout childhood, instilled in her a deep respect for the land, Mi’kmaw traditions and she gained wisdom passed down through generations. Alongside her husband, Robert, Colleen continues to honor those teachings, passing them down to her children, Kelly and Emily while inspiring others to do the same.

Collen’s life has been defined by her unwavering commitment to community service and her profound connection to Mi’kmaw culture. She has 10 years of experience in Indigenous education and member services and financial management experience. She is a Certified Gladue Writer, Trained Circle Keeper, Interim Executive Director of Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities, Peer Facilitator in gender-based violence initiatives and an Executive Administrator of the Mi’kmaq Cultural Foundation.

Colleen has visions and goals for her term on council that are rooted in listening and responding to the concerns of members from Central Newfoundland with respect and care.

She is passionate about nurturing future leaders through mentorship and succession planning, ensuring the strength of Mi’kmaw leadership for generations to come. She also strives to expand the community’s influence by fostering partnerships, enhancing collaboration, and building trust with key stakeholders.

Colleen’s heart is with her people. She is dedicated to fostering pride, resilience, and unity in her community. Her passion for diversity, inclusion, and cultural preservation is evident in her daily work and her unwavering commitment to creating a brighter future for all.

Charles was born and raised in Stephenville, NL. Having joined the Canadian Armed Forces a few years out of high school, where he graduated from the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering. Charles served 27 years in the forces and retired out of Goose Bay, NL.

Having a vast knowledge of living on the land, Charles spends his some of his time teaching students in schools in Western NL through the Elders and Youth Program. He speaks to the students about the seasonal changes and the gathering of food, often demonstrating how to trap and hunt animals. Charles will be working with the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre to share his traditional skills and knowledge.

Charles is serving his first term on council and one of his priorities is connection with the members. Listening, learning and educating the members so their voices can be heard. Charles says that he hopes to lead by example, guided by the teachings that he received throughout the years. He says that Chief and Council must come together as a team to make the membership proud.

Terri Green was born and raised in Elmastukek, currently residing in Halfway Point with her 17-year-old son, Ethan. Terri has completed diplomas in Internet Application Development and Information Management and has been employed with Labrador-Grenfell Health and now Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services for the past 14 years.

Terri is the President on the volunteer board of directors for the Benoit’s Cove Aboriginal Housing Corporation and is a coordinator for the local youth group.

Terri has served one term previously (2021-2024) as Benoit’s Cove Ward Councilor. Terri’s top priorities this council term would be to establish updates to the core infrastructure such as information management and technology processes, date sovereignty and OCAP principles.

Ernest is originally from Burgeo and currently living in Corner Brook. He retired in the Spring of 2024 after a career with Western Health in which he worked various roles including Licensed Practical Nurse, Physical Therapy Support Work and Rehabilitation Assistant.

Ernest is a founding member of the Men’s Fellowship Circle in Corner Brook and is the Volunteer Coordinator on the Elmastukwek Mawio’mi Committee. Ernest is committed to the members of the Corner Brook Ward; he is willing to help members within his ward as much as possible.

Ernest is an avid walker and hiker of the many trails in Western Newfoundland. He enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren as well as his loved dog, Sparky.

Ernest is an excellent team player; he hopes to work with the Chief and Council in a respectful manner to make great progress over the next 4 years.

Shianne grew up in the community of Badger. Her Mi’kmaw heritage comes from her father, Jim Barrington. The Barrington family have a wealth of knowledge in trapping, hunting and guiding.

Shianne earned a diploma in Petroleum Engineering Technology from the College of the North Atlantic. She was employed in Alberta for 11 years where she was responsible for verifying the accuracy of field data, preparing production reports and ensuring provincial compliance regulations were met.

For the last few years, Shianne has been a stay-at-home mom, and she is very grateful for the time she gets to spend with her family. Now that her children are older, she is eager to get out in her community. Recently she has been participating in language programs, volunteering with youth workshops and aided in proposal writing.

Shianne is very excited to be serving her first term on council. She hopes that during her term, the council can work on strengthening community connections and get the youth more involved and eager to learn about their culture and traditions.

Ivan was born and raised in Flat Bay where he currently resides with his wife Joann (Tobin) White. Together they raised 3 children: Jason, Robert and Ivan Jr. Ivan has work experience in various fields including as a camp cook, journalism, retail sales management, laborer on construction sides and as a guide for hunting, fishing, hiking and ATV cross island tours. Ivan is the business owner of Abadak Wilderness Adventures.

Ivan has been a volunteer in his community for quite some time. Having volunteered on the Men’s Creative Association, the Fire Department, with the Minor Hockey Association, the Men’s Dart Association, Flat Bay Powwow Committee, and the Mi’kmaq Cultural Revival Committee.

Ivan served one term previously on council as the Flat Bay Ward Councilor (2018-2021). Ivan says his priorities on council this term is education, land claims and hunting and fishing rights.

Calvin Francis has been re-elected, by acclamation in the 2024 election, to be serving his fourth term (14 years) as Councilor for the Gander Bay Ward.

Calvin was born in Clarke’s Head, Gander Bay, to a family of 9 children. He has lived there for most of his life. Calvin married Anne and together they raised 2 children and have become the grandfather to 2 grandchildren.

Calvin has been Chief of the Gander Bay Indian Band for 44 years and has been on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians throughout this time. In addition to this experience, he has worked as a housing inspector, fishery guardian and hunting and fishing guide. Calvin has countless volunteer hours with local groups including the fire department, recreation committee and the Men’s dart league.

Calvin’s top priorities for this council term are issues relating to membership, economic development and housing.

More information coming soon!

Lory was born and raised in Degrau, Cape St. George and has been living in Kippens since 2010. She is employed as an Officer Manager with a local safety company after working as a Dental Assistant for twenty years. Lory enjoys step dancing, cooking & baking, learning Mi’kmaq language & culture and she loves animals, especially dogs.

Lory has been an active volunteer in her area for many years. She has volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross, the School Breakfast Program and the SPCA. She has hosted international students in her home for the past 5 years. Lory is a Commissioner of Oaths with the Government of NL which means she can administer oaths and take affidavits, affirmations and declarations.

Lory is serving her first term on council. The goals that she has during her term are to focus on enrolment and building stronger relationships among members.

More information coming soon!

More information coming soon!

Salome Barker was born and raised in Grand Falls- Windsor, NL and is a fancy shawl dancer. Growing up Salome has always felt deeply connected to her Mi’kmaq ancestry, growing up in a rural area Salome started to notice all the areas in which Indigenous youth get left out of the narrative. This started Salome’s passion in the area of cultural revitalization for youth. Salome’s ancestry is linked to the John family of Conne River.

Salome attended St.Francis Xavier University where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Women and Gender Studies. After graduating in 2019 Salome received an Oceanpath Scholarship in the area of community development. Salome created an initiative that was aimed at revitalizing Mi’kmaq identity among youth in central Newfoundland. Over the past 9 months Salome has created safe spaces for youth to partake in cultural workshops led by Mi’kmaq community leaders and Elders to learn more about their Mi’kmaq identity and fostered many important relationships over the duration of this fellowship.

Upon completing the Oceanpath Fellowship Salome wants to continue uplifting Indigenous youths voices all across the province and bring more cultural programming to the central region of Newfoundland. Salome believes that empowering Qalipu youth with cultural teachings, community gatherings, knowledge and a supportive network is vital for the future of Qalipu. Salome see’s a bright future for Qalipu youth and will continue to support youth as much as she can. Salome is excited to be a voice for Qalipu youth and bring their voices to the Chief & Council table. Msit No’kmaq.