Join the Conversation Live on Zoom!

Would you like to join in a lively conversation on the subject of art, craft and tourism development in our territory?

If so, please join us on August 16th at 10:00 am to participate in a 1-hour virtual sharing session over Zoom.

Join the Zoom meeting here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89601889042?pwd=OWNwcDJVUlJEdnpSaTc0eWdKTjJDZz09

The questions linked below will form the session’s structure; however, all additional thoughts, ideas, and insights are welcomed.

If you are unable to join, please consider answering the questions attached and emailing them back to Qalipu’s Manager of Tourism and Community Development, Angela Brockway at abrockway@qalipu.ca

Questions for: Discussion on Zoom Call

Experience Qalipu is creating a Strategy to provide direction for growing Indigenous tourism, arts, and crafts development. We would like to hear your thoughts, ideas, and insights to create engaging and meaningful plans to grow together.

Sharing our culture with the world has the potential to strengthen our cultural knowledge and traditions while bringing social and economic benefits to the communities across Mi’kmaw territory.

Please Complete a 10-minute online survey to have your voice heard!

Qalipu Chief and Council met on July 29th. One item on the agenda was planning for the upcoming Band Council Election which takes place every three years. More detailed news including how and where to file nomination papers, the appointment of the Electoral Officer, and information regarding a helpdesk to support voters who may need assistance with online and telephone voting, will be issued in the coming weeks. For now, here are the highlights:

• The nomination process, or “Call for Nominations”, will commence on August 30th at 8:30 am and end on September 10th at 12:00 noon.
• Election Day has been set for October 22, 2021. Voters are reminded that voting, however, takes place over the course of a window of time and votes can be cast between October 14-22 online or over the phone. All votes will be counted and the election will end on October 22.
• Your voter package will be sent to you in the mail. Please make sure your current mailing address is listed on your ginu membership profile. Click here to submit a form to ensure this is done.
• Along with voting for your elected representatives, there will also be a referendum vote to ask members if they are in favour of moving from a three-year term in office to a four-year term in office for elected Council. If this is passed with a majority “yes” vote, the changes would not come into effect until following the next election in 2024.
• All the latest Election related information will be posted to Qalipu’s Voter Information Hub. Find it here: https://qalipu.ca/qalipu-election-2021

The Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is seeking input on the planning, development and use of the forest resources of the province located in planning Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 7 and Forest Management Districts 21 and 22. To submit your direct feedback go to: Five-Year Forest Management Public Consultations | EngageNL

Specifically, for Zone 7 (Districts 9 & 16) surrounding White Bay, extending from Deer Lake in the west to Cat Arm in the north and includes all the Baie Verte Peninsula – see link below or contact our Manager of Environment & Natural Resources at ahunter@qalipu.ca or 709-634-1500. CBPP Zone 7 (Districts 9 and 16) Five-Year Operating Plan (2022-2026) – Environment and Climate Change gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2145

Corner Brook, Glenwood, St. Georges, & Stephenville Qalipu Offices will be closed for the Civic Holiday on Monday, August 2nd, 2021. Grand Falls – Windsor will be open for regular business hours

It was a great pleasure to welcome Her Honour The Honourable Judy May Foote Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador for her first official visit to Mikwite’tm Garden. The morning of Friday, July 23rd at 10:30am Qalipu First Nation (QFN) hosted Her Honour Judy Foote and His Honour Howard Foote to the recently opened memorial garden honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Children, and Two-Spirted.

Many others joined QFN in welcoming the honoured guests including Qalipu councilors, staff, elders, community members, the Mi’kmaq Drumming and Cultural Circle Inc. together with Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association who provided ceremonial prayer, drumming, and a smudge. Respects during the garden visitation shown by attendance also included the Mayor of Corner Brook Jim Parsons, MP Gudie Hutchings, Grenfell University Vice-President Dr. Ian Sutherland, MHA Scott Reid, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Honourable Bernard Davis, Miss Newfoundland and Labrador Claire Hulan-Beck, and Bishop Bart van Roijen.

Chief Brendan Mitchell was honoured to have Her Honour Lieutenant Governor reach out to make this special request to come visit Mikwite’tm Garden. “Her tremendous compassion for women and children in this province is shown through her many years of involvement and interest. It was an appropriate visit to the garden, and it is a special place for all of us,” Chief Mitchell stated. He further commented that he will be looking forward to their next visit to Qalipu First Nation.

As the gathering to Mikwite’tm Garden came to an end it was evident the connection and understanding of the gardens message shows through to the community and across our province. Reflection in memory, honour, and respect for those Women, Girls, Children, and Two-Spirited lost and the work still left to be done to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples toward reconciliation was a strong message. Bringing all peoples together, Mikwite’tm Garden is a sacred place to seek whatever it is your mind needs – reflection, solitude, remembrance, hope – all are welcome.

The Department of Education and Training will be conducting a virtual Post-Secondary Engagement Session with Qalipu First Nation (QFN) Post-Secondary Students on Wednesday, August 11^th from 6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m.

This session will include engagement around ways to work with post-secondary students to ensure that their concerns and aspirations for Post-Secondary Education Programming are directly reflected in the alternatives developed for the future.

Students will also be joined by guest Carol Spicer, owner of Spicer Facilitation and Learning, who will facilitate the virtual engagement session and to gather feedback.

The virtual engagement session will also provide students with:

• A brief overview of the current program which will outline items such as eligibility requirements.
• Intake dates, and how the reimbursement process is conducted.
• All in attendance will by divided into small break-out rooms to better address what should start, stop and continue happening with the Post-Secondary Student Support Program (PSSSP).
• A facilitated discussion will be held to identify resources needed to support post-secondary student success within the community

To register for the Post-Secondary Education Engagement Session, follow the link below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GRT5KJN (Link to the Teams Meeting will be sent via email five days prior to the event)

Students who attend the event will be entered for a draw to win a prize of a $50 Amazon gift card. Your attendance and interest in this event are much appreciated. Hope to (virtually) see you there!

The next regular meeting of Council will be held at 11am on Thursday, July 29th, 2021.

Due to Covid restrictions, the Community Room at 1 Church remains closed to members of the public at this time.

The meeting will be live-streamed for members and can be accessed by logging into GINU at: Ginu login: http://qalipu.ca/login-options/

Ask Chief and Council a question at the upcoming meeting: http://qalipu.ca/leave-a-message-for-chief-and-council/