Qalipu’s Annual General Assembly will take place on Sunday, September 24, 2023, in Stephenville at the Days Inn from 2:00-4:00 PM.  All Band members in the area are encouraged to attend.

Qalipu staff Departments (Environment and Natural Resources, Health, Housing, Education and Training, Culture, Tourism and Community Development) will have information tables, and Indian Registration staff will offer FREE passport-style photos and take care of your SCIS renewal if needed.   There will also be prize giveaways, music, a light lunch and an annual report that includes a presentation on the bands’ audited financial statements. 

There will also be a special door prize provided by a local artist!

Chief Brendan Mitchell and the team hope to see you there.

One of the greatest barriers to continuing education beyond high school is cost.  Through Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), the Government of Canada can help youth aspire to attend post-secondary.

The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) is money that is deposited directly into a RESP from the Government of Canada.  The initial payment is $500.00 for the first year the child (beneficiary) is eligible, plus $100 for each additional year of eligibility up to the age of 15, for a maximum of $2,000.00.  Once a child turns 18, they can become a subscriber of their own RESP and request the CLB themselves, until the day before they turn 21.  Children in care, for whom a Children’s Special Allowance is payable, are also eligible for the CLB.

Personal contributions are not required to receive the CLB.  However, if you do make personal contributions to the RESP, the Government of Canada may match up to 20% as part of the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG).  The lifetime limit for the CESG is $7,200.

To be eligible for the CLB, the beneficiary must:

• Be a resident of Canada
• Have a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
• Be named as a beneficiary in an RESP
• Be from a modest income family

The primary caregiver of the beneficiary must:

• Have filed income tax returns for each year they wish to request the CLB for the beneficiary
• Be eligible to receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)

If the beneficiary does not pursue post-secondary education, the CLB is returned to the Government.

Qalipu First Nation has a limited number of $500.00 participant bonuses for members, or children of members, who open a RESP and eligible for the Canada Learning Bond.

The process is easy, just contact Kevin Green, CLB Project Coordinator and he will support you through every step.

Contact Information:
Kevin Green – CLB Project Coordinator
Phone: (709)643-3191
Email: kgreen@qalipu.ca

An overview of the programs and services available to Band members
Click here to view the Guide

We’re pleased to share that we have updated the Membership Information Guide, originally published in 2018, to reflect the many changes that have occurred within our First Nation since that time.

So, What’s New? A Few Highlights:

We’ve added two new office locations (pg.3) with a presence now in Gander and Stephenville among the six locations that span the territory.  We’re also in Grand Falls-Windsor, Glenwood, Corner Brook (2) and St. George’s.

We’ve changed the way we conduct elections (pg. 4).  In 2018 we held a referendum vote to adopt a new way of voting.  Instead of polling stations and mail-in ballots, online and telephone voting.  The new method would make voting more accessible, less time-consuming, and more cost-efficient.  Over 75% of voters said yes to this change.  In 2021, we held our first online/telephone election with almost double the voter turnout of any previous election!

See page 4 for information on listing an email and mailing address with us to receive your voter PIN for elections and referendums.

We’ve enhanced communications (pg. 6) the Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k newsletter has moved to weekly email distribution with a top-news round-up that anyone can sign up to receive.  We’ve increased the frequency of communications with our seniors with regular monthly mailouts, and we’ve added a new program, “Monday Mornings Live”.  This weekly video series is streamed live from our Facebook page sharing news, cultural teachings, language, and history about our people.

We’ve added a Housing Division (pg. 7).  The band recognizes housing as a social determinant of health and wellness.  Lack of housing or poor-quality housing can negatively affect an individual’s physical and mental well-being.  Our overall mission is to increase access to affordable housing and increase overall housing capacity.

We’ve enhanced our focus on Mi’kmaw Language (pg. 10) with the establishment of a language program L’nui-kina’masulti’kw (we are learning to speak Mi’kmaw) and a full-time language facilitator position.

We’ve added to the Health and Wellness Department (pg. 12).  The addition of a Mental Wellness Navigator, Indigenous Patient Navigator and Jordan’s Principle Coordinator are among the staff changes to this group.

Find out more and become familiar with the programs and services available to you as a member of our First Nation by checking out the new Membership Information Guide.

Click here to view the Membership Information Guide

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.