Qalipu First Nation is conducting a land use survey in partnership with Matador Mining. The data from the survey will be used to prepare a report to help advise the Environmental Assessment process for the proposed goldmine near Cape Ray on the south-west coast. It will also help to identify any potential environmental impacts the project may have on the surrounding area and on the livelihood of the people who use the land. No data will be shared with Matador Mining, nor will the data be published.

More information on the Cape Ray Gold Project can be found on Matador Mining’s website:
https://matadormining.com.au/cape-ray/

To take the survey click here: https://trailmarkapp.com/tm/?client=qalipu&survey=b55d440804530faee2cefeca56293acd or copy and paste the url into your browser.

The survey is estimated to take just about 1 hour to complete.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns about the survey please contact Ian Sullivan at isullivan@qalipu.ca or call (709) 634-0998

The Band holds an Election for Chief and Council every three years.

In the past, voters have requested mail-in ballots or voted at polling stations in each of the nine Wards.

During the 2018 election, Qalipu held a referendum vote to amend the Election Code.  75% of voters voted in favour of changing the way we hold elections; instead of mail-in ballots and polling stations, voters will now be asked to vote online or over the phone.

Find a copy of the Election Code here: https://qalipu.ca/qalipu-election-2021/#1611931747908-9b71716b-5ba6

Going forward, voters will receive an information package in the mail containing a secure PIN that they will use to vote either online or over the phone.

We will not be able to reach voters who do not have a current mailing address listed on their ginu membership profile.  However, these individuals will have the opportunity to dial a toll-free number and obtain a PIN after verifying their membership identity once the Election has been called.

Question: What can I do to make sure I receive my voter information package in the mail?

Answer: We need your correct mailing address.  Please register your current information by completing the  Voter Registration Form or by updating your ginu membership profile on your own.

Question: When is the Election?

Answer: A call for nominations will take place in early September 2021.   Voting will take place over the course of a seven-day window leading up to end of voting and announcement of winners on October 22.

Question: Who is eligible to vote in the upcoming Election?

Answer: Every Band member who is age 18 + at the date of the election is eligible to vote regardless of their location.

Question: Who will we be voting for during the Election?

Answer: The positions of Chief, Western Vice Chief, Central Vice Chief and Ward Councilors for each of the nine Wards (Flat Bay, St. George’s, Stephenville, Port au Port, Corner Brook, Benoit’s Cove, Grand Falls-Windsor, Glenwood, and Gander Bay).

Question: Can I vote on all of these?

Answer: Voters will vote on the positions of Chief, Vice Chief for their region only, and Ward Councilor for their Ward only.

Question: If I do not live in a Ward, will I still be able to vote for a Ward Councilor?

Answer: If the voter does not live in a Ward community, they will have the opportunity to vote in the last Ward community in which they lived.  If the voter has never lived in a Ward community, we will look at substantive community connection to determine your voting Ward.  In most cases, this has been previously determined by data provided during the application process.  For a small number of others who were more recently accepted into the Band, we will ask about your community connection, or the community to which you tie your Mi’kmaq ancestry in order to determine your substantive community connection.

Question: Can I vote at a polling station or request a mail-in-ballot?

Answer: no, voting will be done using a secure PIN that will be sent to you in the mail.  You will then have a seven-day window in which to vote online or over the phone.

Question: Why am I expected to vote this way? Why did things change?

Answer: During the 2018 election, Qalipu held a referendum vote to amend the Election Code.  75% of voters voted in favour of changing the way we hold elections; instead of mail-in ballots and polling stations, voters will now be asked to vote online or over the phone.

Question: What if I have trouble voting online or over the phone? Will there be help available?

Answer: Yes, there will be a toll-free support line you can contact for assistance.  We also expect that the Electoral Officer may put people in place for in-person support at our Band office locations.

If you have additional questions, please email them to communications@qalipu.ca

Join us June 15-21 for a celebration of language and culture leading into National Indigenous People’s Day!

Each day from Tuesday June 15-18 there will be an online craft session (registration details below) daily from 2-4pm as well as an evening language session with our resident language specialist Dean Simon from 7:30-9pm. On Saturday June 19, we will hold a family day on the Majestic Lawn in Corner Brook, where families are welcome to gather for language puppet shows, and crafting demonstrations. Sunday will be a celebration of Father’s Day with online tributes and storytelling. As a finale, we will hold a day-long online event to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day with community partners.

Throughout the week you can look forward to an online art and craft auction, a radio show with Dean and Susan O’Quinn, and more!

Included in this week is an opportunity for families to get a “Kids kit.” 150 kits are available, registration is required!

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW!

Craft Registration here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NW6XC9Y

Kids Kit Registration here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NXQSXLH

Rattle Workshop Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GBNWZVL

Want to sell your craft in the auction? Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N5WVFYL

Want to be a vendor in person on Family Day? Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NZMNDFC

Please join us in a Virtual Celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day!

Once again, this year we invite community submissions for a full day of video content to be hosted on our Facebook Page from across Ktaqmkuk. Although we are not able to gather, we want to make this Indigenous Peoples Day special.

Last year we had community members and groups submit videos featuring music, dancing, greetings, and discussions. It was truly a memorable day that reached people near and far.

If you would like to get in on the planning and discussion, or have questions about how to get involved, we invite you to contact Nicole Travers at ntravers@qalipu.ca

You may also like to use the attached planning form to let us know about your submission: NIPD Planning form

World Oceans Day (WOD) 2021 is on Tuesday, June 8th! A virtual fun-filled experience will be held for Newfoundland and Labrador (link below) during the weekend of June 5th leading up to the 8th by the WOD Committee NL.

Qalipu First Nation in collaboration with Department of Fisheries Oceans (DFO) and partners will be hosting two public outdoor events, weather permitting and abiding the current Covid-19 regulations at that time. Qalipu and DFO will be presenting two ocean art benches, one to the Town of Lark Harbour and 2nd to the Town of Deer Lake.

EVENT 1
JUNE 4th, FRIDAY
DFO Ocean Art Bench Presentation to Town of Deer Lake
Xavier Jr. High Students attending for a Beach & Community Cleanup – 9:30am to 12:30pm
Partners: DFO – Qalipu – Town of Deer Lake – Rocky Harbour Detachment (DFO)
Town Fire department BBQ and CAKE with Invitation to RCMP to join
Student Ocean Art Display, prizes to be presented
More Games & Prizes

Event 2
WORLD OCEAN DAY
JUNE 8th, TUESDAY
Qalipu Environment and Natural Resources Ocean Art Bench Presentation at Bottle Cove Beach
St. James School Students Beach Cleanup at Bottle Cove Beach – 10:30am to 2:00pm
Educational Session held by ACAP on Beach Debris Collected
Partners: DFO – Qalipu – ACAP – Town of Lark Harbour
Town Fire Department BBQ & CAKE with invitation to Canadian Coast Guard and RCMP
Student Ocean Art Display, prizes to be presented
More Games & Prizes

https://www.facebook.com/WODNL/

Qalipu First Nation wishes to advise Band members that funds under the COVID-19 Seniors Essential Travel Benefit have now been fully allocated.  Processing of electronic funds transfer and checks is ongoing and successful applicants should continue to see their funds arrive within he coming weeks.

Please note, some applications that arrived in May will not be issued payment as funds were exhausted before all applications could be processed.  These and any further applications that are received will be kept in the que and will be processed for payment should additional funds become available.

In total, $251,700 was processed for payment with the Seniors Essential Travel Benefit.  The COVID-19 Support Team responded to approximately 6866 electronic requests for support, and close to 2500 phone inquiries.

The Band thanks all those who applied and looks forward to further opportunities to offer community support.