Award Presentation at Corner Brook Intermediate 2022-1 (1)

Chief Mitchell Presents Awards to Kali Gill, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Logo Contest Winner

"My artwork can be interpreted in different ways. It could show a mother remembering when her child was taken from her, or it could be a memory of herself as a survivor of the residential school. It represents the sadness and loss of so many innocent lives, like this little girl walking into the school with false hope. I drew the lady as an elder because even though time passes and we age, our teardrops hold memories that will never be forgotten."
“My artwork can be interpreted in different ways. It could show a mother remembering when her child was taken from her, or it could be a memory of herself as a survivor of the residential school. It represents the sadness and loss of so many innocent lives, like this little girl walking into the school with false hope. I drew the lady as an elder because even though time passes and we age, our teardrops hold memories that will never be forgotten.”

On Friday, October 21 Chief Brendan Mitchell and representatives from the Qalipu First Nation visited Corner Brook Intermediate to present awards to miss Kali Gill, a grade 9 student who was the winner of this years’ logo contest for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.  This day, observed on September 30, is a day to recognize the terrible legacy of Canada’s residential school system, commemorate residential school Survivors, and remember the thousands of Indigenous children lost to this system.

The logo contest was open to children from kindergarten to grade 12 and invited students to create artwork that represents what Truth and Reconciliation means to them.  Kali’s winning design, which will be featured on orange shirts sold at Qalipu offices in advance of the next National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, won her the top prize of $250, a swag bag filled with cultural items and a $500 donation to her school’s breakfast program.

Chief Mitchell remarked that these events are particularly significant to youth, who will be instrumental in forging the path forward toward reconciliation by fostering, “…. the spirit of mutual respect and positive change.”

At the event, Principal Peter Burt announced the school has plans to immortalize Kali’s design on the school’s wall as a part of their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and acceptance.

Congratulations to Kali and gratitude all those who entered this year’s competition.

Veterans Memorial Wall-1 (2)

Virtual Indigenous Veterans Memorial Wall

To honour and remember the Indigenous Veterans who served Canada, Qalipu First Nation invites community members to submit a photo of their lost family member or loved one.  The photos will be assembled to create a Virtual Indigenous Veterans Memorial Wall that will be shared on November 11, 2022.

Please ensure that your photo submission is of a high resolution so that the image can be clearly displayed on our website.  We also ask you to tell us about the Veteran with details such as their name, years of service, their regiment or unit, and their home community.

We will accept submissions until November 8th.

Submissions can be made by emailing communications@qalipu.ca

To discuss, please call 647-3009.

MicrosoftTeams-image (3)

Annual General Assembly – Gander

Qalipu First Nation would like to advise its membership that the central region AGA has been scheduled to take place on November 20, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Albatross Hotel in Gander.

This meeting will focus on activities of the Band for the 2021-22 fiscal year and will feature a networking event with opportunities to chat with staff about programs, services, and activities over the past year.  There will also be a few prize giveaways!

To view a copy of this year’s annual report, please click here.  Copies of the report will also be made available at the meeting.

Band members are reminded to bring their band identification (status) card to the meeting for registration.

Agenda

2:00                 Welcome and Greetings from Chief Brendan Mitchell

2:20 -3:30        Trade show and networking event with prize giveaways

3:30-4:00         Finance and Audit presentation

4:00                 Closing song/prayer

MicrosoftTeams-image (2)

Message from the Chief – October 4, 2022

Kwe’,

It is my pleasure to greet you today from my office in Corner Brook where the fall colours are so beautifully on display.  I hope that you all are finding ways to enjoy the season whether it’s lighting your first fire in the woodstove, getting the kids ready for Halloween, or taking walks in the cool air.

The fall is an important time for our people in terms of special days.  October 1st marked Treaty Day, and the beginning of Mi’kmaq history month.  Today is the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.   I look forward to seeing the women gathered outside as we do every year, wearing their red colours in honour of lost and stolen sisters.

Friday, September 30 was the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.  This year marked the first time that this day was nationally recognized, a statutory holiday, for all Canadians to take the time to reflect on the tragedy of the residential school system.  Across Ktaqmkuk, Qalipu and many grassroots organizations and volunteers held community events that aimed to raise awareness while honouring the families and communities who continue to be impacted.

Trauma has ripple effects that touch upon the lives of many generations; it is important that we remember this and continually move toward reconciliation.

This year, Qalipu held a logo contest for children in grades K-12 inviting them to create images that represented what the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation meant to them.  I had the opportunity to look at some of those images, including the winning artwork by Kali Gill, a grade 9 student from Corner Brook Intermediate.  I have to say, they were beautiful.  The way the children are learning about these important topics, this tragic part of our history, is incredibly valuable.  I’m proud of all those who took part in this contest, and proud of the many community events that took place.

A couple of weeks ago, we saw one of the worst storms ever to land in Newfoundland.  People on the south coast were in some cases severely impacted.  I wish to remind our members who had their homes lost or damaged that we do have some support available through our housing division.  There are several programs available, and I encourage you to make yourself aware of those.

As we complete year one of the term of this new Council, I wish to take this opportunity to thank our Council for their dedication and hard work and our staff for the important services they provide to our membership.  I would also like to thank Keith Goulding our Band Manager who is headed for a new career opportunity.  Keith led our staff in the administrative aspect of Qalipu First Nation for the past four years and contributed greatly to the development of our Band.  I wish Keith and his family all the best.

Wela’lin,
Chief Brendan

Press Release

National Day of Truth and Reconciliation Contest Winner Kali Gill!

NDTR 2022 Logo Contest Winner-1

Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day, a day to recognize the terrible legacy of Canada’s residential school system, commemorate residential school Survivors, and remember the thousands of Indigenous children lost to this system.

This year, as part of its commemoration of this day, Qalipu hosted a logo contest for our youth across K’taqamkuk.  Youth from grades K-12 were invited to reflect on what this day means to them, and how that could be represented in artwork.

We are excited to share that the winner of our first annual logo contest is Kali Gill, a grade nine student from Corner Brook Intermediate.  Kali’s touching and heartfelt logo is making waves across social media today, and her logo will be featured on orange shirts that will be made available for sale at QFN offices.

Of her artwork Kali says, “My artwork can be interpreted in different ways. It could show a mother remembering when her child was taken from her, or it could be a memory of herself as a survivor of the residential school. It represents the sadness and loss of so many innocent lives, like this little girl walking into the school with false hope. I drew the lady as an elder because even though time passes and we age, our teardrops hold memories that will never be forgotten.”

Kali takes home the top prize of $250 along with a $500 donation to her school’s breakfast program which will be presented by Chief Mitchell soon.  Other prizes including books and cultural supplies will be shared with runners up.

Mitch Blanchard who co-hosts the contest with his Department of Health and Wellness along with the Department of Education and Training, notes, “There were 156 submissions in total this year.  Looking through the artwork was moving.  It was powerful to see how our children connect with the meaning of this special day, and the heart that comes through in their artwork.”

Congratulations to Kali and all the other students who took the time to reflect on what this day means to them and represented it with their artwork.

Press Release

Qalipu Band Manager Resigns, Headed for New Opportunity

September 29, 2022, Corner Brook — Qalipu First Nation would like to advise its members, partners, and community that on September 22, Keith Goulding tendered notice of resignation from his position as Band Manager with Qalipu to pursue another career opportunity.  Goulding has worked with the Band since its formation in 2011; he was previously the Director of Education and Training and in 2017 was successful in the competition to become Band Manager. 

Rod Bennett, Director of Operations noted that business will proceed as usual and there will be no impact to member programs and services. 

“From the point of view of Band administration, all systems and processes are in place to ensure there is no impact to our day-to-day operations.  We have a strong senior management team and I expect that business will continue until a hiring process to fill the position are put in place.” 

Brendan Mitchell, Band Chief, noted that he is disappointed to see Goulding go, and reflected on the many positive accomplishments of the Band that took place under his leadership. 

“There have been many positive gains during Keith’s time as Band Manager.  Keith started out leading a team of around fifty employees and today, this number has nearly doubled.   He oversaw major changes to our election process and was also at the helm for big milestones such as the Bands receipt of Certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as well as certification from the First Nations Financial Management Board, both markers of organizational and financial excellence.  He also was in the lead on the achievement of a 10-year block funding arrangement that has been key to our path to self-governance.  We wish him well in his new endeavours, but he will be missed.” 

Emergency Housing-1

Emergency Housing Repair Funds Available to Band Members Impacted by Hurricane Fiona

In the days following one of the worst storms to hit our shores, we are reflecting on the struggles now faced by individuals and families who have lost their homes and belongings.  It is a difficult moment to be sure, and our thoughts and prayers are with those facing these challenges.

At this time, we would like to take the opportunity to remind Band members, specifically those most severely impacted along the south coast, about our Emergency Housing Repair Program and invite them to get in touch to discuss options under this program, and other supports available through Qalipu’s Housing Division.

For more on housing support programs, click here

To reach out and discuss what we can do to help, please contact Jason at 709-634-0411.

Hunting and Trapping 2022 all locations-1 (1)

Hunting and Trapping Guide Training in Stephenville, Corner Brook and Grand Falls-Windsor

Qalipu First Nation is pleased to announce we will be conducting a Hunting and Trapping Guide Training courses November 19-26 in Grand Falls-Windsor, November 20-24 in Stephenville and November 28 to December 3 in Corner Brook. This opportunity is designed for Qalipu Members or self-identifying Indigenous individuals who are interested in becoming Hunting and Trapping Guides in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Upon course completion, students will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement in Hunting and Trapping Guide training and ultimately be prepared to apply to become certified licensed Hunting and Trapping Guides in Newfoundland and Labrador through the Wildlife Division.

Applications can be submitted either via email to ymacdonald@qalipu.ca, or hand-delivered/mailed to the St. George’s Office.

Please see below for links to the application forms.

Application for Corner Brook / Stephenville

Application for Grand Falls-Windsor

 

AGA Report Feature Image

2021 – 2022 Annual Report

Please find below the online version of the 2021-22 Annual Report, a report regarding our activities for the past fiscal year.  Find out more by attending our upcoming Annual General Assembly set to take place on Sunday, September 18 at 1:00 PM at the Greenwood Inn and Suites.

At the event, you will have the opportunity to meet and chat with the Chief and Council, along with members of our team who will be set up at tables around the room to share details about programs and services, and what they’ve been up to since we saw you last year.

Annual Report 2021-2022