Chief Brendan Mitchell of the Qalipu First Nation shares well wishes for the holiday season and talks about projects that will continue to be a priority in the New Year including the pursuit of fishing access, housing programs and the urban reserve.
Go to Law School in Saskatchewan! Two Seats Saved for Indigenous Students from NL
The deadline for applications is February 1, 2021, for September admission, which means the last opportunity to write the Law School Admission Test is in January.
You can direct any questions to justice@gov.nl.ca
More information:
https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2018/just/0608n01/
Qalipu Offices to Close Early for Holiday Break
Please be advised, Band offices in St. George’s, Stephenville, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor and Glenwood will be closing at 4:00 PM on December 18, 2020, and reopening at 9:00 AM on January 4, 2021.
Band Manager Keith Goulding made the decision to close for the holidays a few days early after reflecting on the impact the global pandemic has had on the staff.
Goulding noted, “In reflecting on the hard work done by staff to reopen the offices and maintain a firm handle on workplace responsibilities in this unprecedented time, and in light of other challenges we have faced due to COVID-19, I’ve decided to close the offices a few days earlier than previously scheduled. 2020 has been a difficult year and we have weathered this storm well and together.”
Goulding went on to thank the team for their commitment and dedication in serving the Nation, and looks forward to a New Year and continued service for the people and communities the Band serves.
Request for Proposals: Covid-19 Support Kits
A new Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued by the Band for COVID-19 Support Kits. Please click the link below to view the RFP and respond by January 29, 2021
https://qalipu.ca/qalipu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/COVID19-RFP-v4.pdf
Survey: Moving Forward – First Nation Regional Post-Secondary Education Models
Qalipu’s Education & Training Department, in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada, is currently seeking the input of the Indigenous community in the development of a new Comprehensive and Integrated First Nations Post-Secondary Education Regional Model. Elements of this new model may include such things as costs to support students, First Nations institutes, adult education and facilities, and community-based programming.
This survey makes reference to our current operating guidelines (the way we currently fund students). For more information about our current guidelines, please feel free to review our Local Operating Guidelines on our website here: https://qalipu.ca/about/governance/policies-and-local-guidelines/
We thank you for your time and contribution to this planning process.
Please click here to take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PJDGLZF
NIHB Travel Notice
We are coming up on the holiday season in just a few short weeks. Our Corner Brook and all Satellite offices located Glenwood, Grand Falls-Windsor, St. Georges and Stephenville will be closing on Dec 23rd at 12:00 p.m for the Holiday break. Our office will reopen on January 4th, 2021 at 9a.m. Our staff has been working diligently during the Covid-19 pandemic to keep all services flowing smoothly for you, our members.
If you need a pre-approved transportation, accommodations or meals for medical reasons during this holiday break, we ask that you contact a member of our Health team to make arrangements before December 18th, 2020.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us (https://qalipu.ca/about/office-and-e-mail-addresses/) in the next few weeks if you have questions regarding Medical Transportation or Mental Health programs. We look forward to working with you in 2021. Here’s to a healthy New Year!!
Housing Survey
Kwe’, Hello,
We all need access to safe and affordable housing and the security it contributes to our overall quality of life.
Your leadership at Qalipu First Nation is driven by this belief and we are seeking your input to guide the creation of a modern Community Housing Strategy. An action plan for making this belief a reality.
We are respectfully requesting that every household, regardless of size (single, single-parent family, married/ common law, or retired) take approximately 20 – 30 minutes to complete this survey. The survey will run from Dec 7, 2020 to Dec 21, 2020 noon.
Wela’lin
Please click here to take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PWF6NBB
Qalipu First Nation Joins Health Partnership
Qalipu First Nation is pleased to announce it has been welcomed into the Atlantic First Nations Health Partnership (Health Partnership). With Qalipu First Nation joining, the Health Partnership now works on behalf of 34 Atlantic First Nations and is focused on improving the health and well-being of its members through direct engagement in the health programs and services provided by First Nations and Inuit Health Branch/Indigenous Services Canada (FNIHB/ISC). The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC) is the Health Partnership Secretariat.
Over the past year, Qalipu First Nation was invited to attend a series of meetings as an active observer to better understand and become a partner of the Health Partnership. On November 19, Qalipu First Nation was welcomed into the Health Partnership following a vote by the 11 Health Partnership Chiefs representing various regions of the Atlantic.
Band Chief Brendan Mitchell was pleased to share news of this development, which he says is a positive step forward in Qalipu’s journey.
“This is another encouraging step forward on our journey. It is important that First Nations stand together in their negotiations with Canada; when we speak confidently with one voice, we are strong. I look forward to working with Chiefs of the other First Nations in Atlantic Canada to accomplish positive outcomes for our respective communities.”
Mitch Blanchard, Manager of the Health and Social division for Qalipu First Nation explained how the new partnership will benefit Band members.
“Being a part of the Health Partnership allows Qalipu First Nation to be involved in the co-management of health programs and services that impact our membership. Together, through the Health Partnership and its committees, we help shape priority areas in health and wellness.”
Qalipu First Nation’s inclusion in the Health Partnership is a key step in accomplishing community health priorities. Qalipu First Nation will have the opportunity to share, learn and collaborate with other First Nations Chiefs, FNIHB/ISC, APC Health Directors, and other like-minded organizations.
Blanchard added, “We look forward to what we can accomplish together, and continued opportunities to work together with other First Nations in Atlantic Canada.”
Chief’s Message Regarding Enrolment
Chief's Message Regarding Enrolment from Qalipu First Nation.
Some Mi’kmaq veterans lost their Indian Status cards during the Qalipu enrolment process, often due to the inability to show community connection because they were stationed away from home. Qalipu has been working with the federal government to resolve this issue and get those veterans back their status, but it has not been easy or fast! While “social media warriors” cause harm with misinformation and disrespect, Chief Mitchell weighs in with some answers.
New Executive Elected to Lead Qalipu Cultural Foundation
An election was held recently to fill vacant positions within the Board at the Qalipu Cultural Foundation (QCF), the Band’s charitable foundation whose focus is on raising funds to support and promote Mi’kmaq culture in the province.
Candace Simon of Stephenville was elected to Chair the group with the support of newly elected Vice-Chair Jennifer Brake Strickland, Secretary Toby Penney, and Treasurer Brittany Pittman.
Other team members include Odelle Pike (Elder and Council Liaison), Lorraine Stone, Mildred Lavers, Sherry Dean, Jeff Young, Nicole Travers (QFN Support) and Tara Saunders (QFN Support).
Candace noted that she was honoured to be chosen to lead. She said, “I am very honoured and humbled to accept the position of Chair of Qalipu Cultural Foundation. I know that this position is a very important one. Our culture and traditions are at the core of our First Nation Band; when we embrace who we are, our potential is magnified and there truly are no limits to what we can accomplish for our communities.”
Candace added thanks and congratulations to outgoing Chair Sherry Dean who will stay on as a volunteer with the Foundation. “I would like to congratulate our outgoing Chair, Sherry Dean, and thank her for all of her hard work and dedication. She is a tough act to follow!”
One of the main objectives of the Foundation is to apply for and fundraise monies that can be distributed to grassroots organizations for community cultural programming. More than $10,000 is distributed annually through the Mi’kmaq Cultural Heritage Program Grant.
Band Chief Brendan Mitchell looks forward to the energy and ideas brought to the table by new volunteers like Candace Simon, while maintaining continuity with those returning members of the board.
“It’s positive to see new volunteers stepping up to share their energy and ideas alongside those who will continue in support of the Foundation. Together, in collaboration with Qalipu, we take on the important job of nurturing our cultural community. We are committed to working collaboratively with the QCF Board on stimulating and supporting cultural growth across all our communities.
Candace noted that the Foundation could always use more volunteers. She said, “Many hands make light work. We invite any interested band members to contact us for more information.”
To contact the Qalipu Cultural Foundation, please visit their website at http://qalipuculturalfoundation.ca/ or contact Candace at csimon.eiwfsc@gmail.com