The next meeting of Chief and Council is scheduled for Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10:00am in the Qalipu Community Room, 1 Church Street. Registration is required to attend the meeting, the deadline for registration is May 17, 2024.

Members wishing to attend can contact Natasha by telephone 709-634-6895 or by email: nlavers@qalipu.ca or contact Allyson by telephone 709-634-5111 or by email: arobbins@qalipu.ca. Members can view the meeting’s livestream by logging on to their KINU membership profile: https://mala.qalipu.ca/ginu/login.aspx

Sunday, May 5th was a beautiful sunny day to gather at the Mikwite’tm Garden in Corner Brook to raise awareness in support of Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2 Spirit People.

The gathering started at 1pm with a walk from the Garden up West Street led by children carrying one of the banners that was designed by attendees before the walk. Following the walk, participants gathered for the official opening which included several special guests.  Anne Marie O’Keefe provided an opening prayer; the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Minister of Labrador Affairs and Minister Responsible for Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation brought greetings on behalf of the province; Quinn Jesso spoke on behalf of the 2SLBGTQQIA+ community and Corner Brook Deputy Mayor Linda Chaisson brought greetings on behalf of the city.  The event also featured the sharing of a poem by Corner Brook Ward Councilor Sherry Dean and music provided by the Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association and Paul Pike accompanied by the Men’s Fellowship Circle. Chief Jenny Brake guided the event as Emcee and brought greetings on behalf of council.

“As the first female Chief of Qalipu First Nation and a survivor of gender-based violence, I carry with me the stories and struggles of countless Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people who have been taken from us too soon, whose voices have been silenced by violence and injustice. Today, we honor their memory, we stand in solidarity with their families, and we renew our pledge to never forget and never stop working toward a safer future for the next seven generations”.

Chief Brake reminded guests that behind each statistic lies a name and a story. She encouraged everyone in attendance to remember their names—those who have been taken from us too soon—and ensure that their voices are never silenced.

She added, “On this National Day of Awareness, let us recommit ourselves to the pursuit of justice and healing. Let us stand in solidarity with the families and loved ones of those who have been lost, offering them our unwavering support and compassion. And let us hold our governments and institutions accountable, demanding concrete action to address the root causes of violence and ensure the safety and well-being of all Indigenous peoples.”

Miranda Osmond is an Education Outreach Officer with Qalipu First Nation.  She was invited to create a mural for Red Dress Day and came up with this impactful mural representing a woman in a red dress.

Miranda shared, “I was inspired by a dream that I had.  I was hovering above Miktwite’tm Garden looking down, like a star.  And I could see her, this tall figure.  She had butterflies in her hair.”

Miranda added that the mural, standing 8 feet tall, represents all those whose lives have been lost.

“She has her back turned.  This is meant to be symbolic of when we smudge behind us to honour our ancestors and those who have crossed over.”

Miranda worked with teachers and children at Xavier Elementary, Stephenville Middle School and J.J. Curling to create artwork that could be added to the mural including butterflies, feathers, and dragonflies.

Special thanks go out to Jonathan Murphy who helped with the construction and the cultural team at QFN who helped to laminate all the kids’ artwork.  Also, to Xavier teacher Petra Snook who saw to it that all classes could participate in the project even though Miranda could not be there every time.

The mural was given the name Beverly in honour of someone who was lost here in Newfoundland.

Beverly’s family members brought the mural home with them after the event, and they will keep her safe.  She will come out again to be a part of the Elmastukwek Mawiomi this coming August 10-11.

Acting Chief Jenny Brake and Central Vice Chief Andy Barker have filed an application in the Court of Appeal seeking standing as former members of Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) Board of Directors. Their request is scheduled to be heard at the Court of Appeal in St. John’s at 10 AM on May 21st.

Addressing concerns about the involvement of QFN directors or local chiefs in the process, Acting Chief Brake stressed the significance of unity and cooperation towards a common objective. The former FNI directors actions were driven by a sense of duty to the community and their legal obligations.

“We understand the potential perceptions, but fulfilling our role as former members of the FNI board was necessary to ensure the process proceeds appropriately.”

 

“Our efforts are geared towards reinstating disenfranchised members. This was our responsibility as FNI directors, and one we wish to continue. Our focus is to ensure that the veterans file has an opportunity to be completed , and those who will gain membership in the Qalipu Band under that agreement are not delayed in any way.  We wish to ensure that we have further opportunities to work with Canada to support the reinstatement of the members of the FNI including the many family members that are still seeking membership.”

 

“We remain dedicated to assisting families,” stated the former directors. “The determination of who is eligible for membership is not the exclusive role of QFN or FNI. As directors of the FNI, we had an opportunity to advocate fully for those seeking reinstatement and we wish to continue to do so.”

The Qalipu First Nation continues to emphasize its steadfast commitment to upholding justice and ensuring equitable processes for all community members.

Did you know that Jordan’s Principle is named after a little First Nations boy named Jordan who was denied health benefits and died at just five years old while the provincial and federal governments argued about who was responsible for his care?

The blue teddy bear that you see associated with Jordan’s Principle was the friend that Jordan kept at his side in the hospital.  After he passed, a human rights case was filed.  Jordan’s bear was brought to the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearings to remind those in attendance of the little boy whose life was lost, and to bear witness.

On May 10th, we celebrate Bear Witness Day and bring remembrance to the little boy whose life led to the creation of Jordan’s Principle, a program that ensures that children can access all public services in a way that is reflective of their distinct cultural needs, takes full account of the historical disadvantage linked to colonization, and without experiencing any service denials, delays, or disruptions because they are First Nations.

The Health and Wellness Department is asking community members to join in remembrance and bring awareness to Jordan’s Principle by staging a picture with a teddy bear and sharing it on your social media accounts using the hashtags #JordansPrinciple, #BearWitnessDay, #QalipuFirstNation.

Additional Information:

Jordan River Anderson was from Norway House Cree Nation.  Jordan spent the first two years of his life in a hospital for a rare genetic condition. The two years following, while living with his family, he was denied health benefits. The federal and provincial governments argued over which government was financially responsible for the child’s health care. In 2005 Jordan passed away at the age of 5.

This jurisdictional dispute caused a lapse of service to a First Nation’s child, where other children would have normally received care or service. A human rights case was launched and won, resulting in First Nation children and families accessing Jordan’s Principle. Spirit Bear served an important role in the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal hearings on Jordan’s Principle.

After ten years at the Tribunal, using the powerful case of Jordan River Anderson and a history of racism as evidence, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society was finally successful in proving that discrimination existed, and the federal government was ordered to make things right. The CHRT issued the first of several compliance orders on May 10, 2016. May 10 is Spirit Bear’s birthday, which has become the mascot and an important symbol of Jordan’s Principle.

Bear Witness Day serves as a reminder – and a day for us all to “bear witness” that First Nations children receive the services and support they need when they need them.  If you or someone you know have a child in need, please reach out to Brigitte White, Jordan’s Principle Service Coordinator at 709-634-2234 or email Brigitte.white@qalipu.ca

May 10, 2024, between 1pm to 3pm anyone who is in the Corner Brook area is invited to stop by the Qalipu Community Room at 1 Church Street to share a piece of birthday cake with Jordan’s Principle Service Coordinator Brigitte White and Jordan’s Principle Service Officer Jadean House.