On November 22, Council held our most recent meeting, marking nearly a year since we were sworn in. From the start, we committed to accountability and serving our members with dedication. It was rewarding to see the many ways Council has engaged with members, often going beyond expectations. I am proud to serve alongside the representatives you elected and am hopeful for the years ahead.

As we reflected on our work, one common theme emerged, the frustrations and misconceptions we hear about programs and enrollment. I want to take a moment to clarify.

Like other Nations across Canada, we administer programs that support health, including Jordan’s Principle, housing repair, education and other supports. When funding is provided, it comes with contracts that include strict guidelines and parameters. We know this can feel limiting, particularly when members don’t meet the criteria. Still, we do our best to accommodate as many people as possible. Each program is reviewed by committees of staff, Council members, and community representatives, then passed to our finance committee and, if feasible, recommended to Council for approval. We also regularly review programs to improve their success.

It’s important to understand that program guidelines are not created by Council, they are set by funding agencies, and we are required to follow them. This includes enrollment.

As with all federally recognized bands, enrollment is determined by the federal government, with criteria set by Canada. Our role is to assist members with applications and provide guidance where we can.

We understand these processes can be difficult, and we share your frustrations as our families are also affected. That is why we continue to advocate strongly with all levels of government and pursue economic development opportunities to grow our own-source revenue. This will allow us to expand services beyond the limits set by the funders and reach more members.

Our Council remains committed to open communication and transparency. We have discussed future plans to host virtual and in-person engagement sessions with members to focus on topics that can best inform you. By clarifying program operations, we hope to reduce misunderstandings and make services easier to access. Thank you for your trust and engagement. Your feedback is vital to our growth as a Nation.

This past week, I had the honour of joining the Assembly of First Nations National Fisheries Committee during the International Indigenous Salmon Peoples’ Gathering. Over three days, Indigenous leaders from around the world came together to share both science and traditional knowledge, strengthening our collective voice in the stewardship of salmon.

Together, participants drafted and endorsed the Karasjohka Declaration, a powerful statement affirming the governance and rights that Indigenous Peoples hold with respect to salmon. This declaration reflects our shared responsibility to protect these vital resources for generations to come.

Within the Fisheries Committee, we advanced important work on draft resolutions for the upcoming Chiefs Assembly. These included, land fisheries management, the five-year review of the Fisheries Act, and a resolution I was proud to bring forward, addressing trade barriers faced by First Nations seal products due to the European Commission’s ban within the European Union.

As First Nations, we have never surrendered our inherent rights to hunt, fish, or gather. It is our duty to continue working collectively to safeguard these rights and the resources that sustain our people.

Our lands and waters remain under threat from climate change and poorly managed resource development. Closer to home, we are still awaiting answers and a safe resolution to the MSC Baltic III, the grounded container ship in Cedar Cove. We will continue pressing for action and working with all levels of government and the Canadian Coast Guard to ensure proper mitigation measures are taken to protect our waters and the ecosystems that depend on them.

I want to reassure you that protecting our environment, our food sources, and our communities remains at the heart of our work. Although we face many barriers along the way, together, we can protect what is sacred for the generations yet to come.

This past week, we came together to honour Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day. These days remind us of the courage and sacrifice of all who defended our lands and freedoms, especially Indigenous veterans, whose contributions have too often gone unrecognized. Their dedication strengthens our communities and inspires future generations.

I also want to update you on the situation with the MSC Baltic III, the container ship grounded near Cedar Cove. Recent reports indicate that severe storms have caused structural damage to the vessel. Salvage and cleanup efforts continue, and we are monitoring the situation closely. While weather has slowed progress, most of the heavy fuel oil has now been removed. We continue to expect MSC to fully include our Nation in the response and take immediate, comprehensive action to address its impact.

We are not alone in pressing for accountability and action. The Canadian Coast Guard has been providing consistent updates, and we continue to receive strong support from Minister Lela Evans, Provincial Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation; Minister Joanne Thompson, Federal Fisheries Minister; Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Brendan Mitchell; Traditional Chief Misel Joe; and Chief Brad Benoit of Miawpukek First Nation. We share our community members’ concerns, and we are demanding clear answers and a concrete plan to safely remove this vessel from traditional fishing grounds without further delay. Together, we are advocating for Indigenous participation at every stage of the response to ensure that local knowledge, community priorities, and cultural values are respected. Our Environment and Natural Resources team is working with DFO and other environmental partners to monitor the coastlines.

We will continue to hold MSC accountable, push for decisive action, and ensure Indigenous voices remain at the centre of this process.

This year’s federal budget brings a mix of good and challenging news for Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. We know the government is working to manage spending, which has led to a small two per cent decrease at federal Indigenous departments, a much smaller reduction than the 15 per cent cuts seen in other areas. Our key programs remain fully supported, giving our members peace of mind.

These reductions are aimed at improving efficiency and reducing duplication, not eliminating essential services. There are encouraging signs that future decisions will involve Indigenous governments more directly, giving us greater input on how priorities and outcomes are set.

While this budget signals a time of change, it also offers a chance to strengthen relationships, enhance accountability, and ensure Indigenous-led outcomes guide the path forward for our Nation.

Separately, we want to address recent rumors about a re-application process. Some members have reached out with concerns about information circulating online. Please be assured that these claims are not true. As always, we encourage everyone to rely on official Qalipu communications for accurate updates, and we will continue keeping our members informed directly.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to our members and our communities. By working together and staying engaged, we will ensure that the decisions made today lead to lasting benefits and opportunities for our Nation.