On October 23, the Qalipu Development Corporation held an event to launch its new product, Waspu.  This product is a heart-healthy, Omega-3 rich, Indigenous branded seal oil capsule developed through Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries.  The seal oil in Waspu is derived from the traditional seal harvest off the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador and will soon be available for sale at Coleman’s across the province and can now be purchased online at mikmaqcf.com.

The launch event featured music by local Mi’kmaw musician Paul Pike, a thoughtful opening prayer and well wishes from Miawpukek Chief Mi’sel Joe, and greetings were brought by Chief Mitchell of the Qalipu First Nation, Tara Sheppard on behalf of MP Gudie Hutchings and Corner Brook City Mayor Jim Parsons.

Minister Gerry Byrne was also on hand to announce provincial support for the product.  Minister Byrne spoke on behalf of Honourable Elvis Loveless Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture announcing $25,200 in funding to help with the launch of WASPU brand seal oil capsules into the domestic market by supporting the development of social media, a website and marketing materials.

John Davis, Chief Executive Officer of the Qalipu Development Corporation, unveiled the product and shared his excitement over the launch of the corporation entering the health foods market:

 

“Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries is extremely happy to launch its new ‘WASPU’ brand seal oil capsule into the marketplace. We believe this First Nation branded health product will find a consumer niche not only here in the province, but in national and export markets as well. We are excited to be selling a locally sourced, indigenous branded-product here in the province through the Coleman’s grocery chain.  We are also very encouraged by the number of individuals who have already visited our new web site to order online”

 

The Qalipu Development Corporation supports the First Nation in earning its own-source revenue.  All proceeds derived from Waspu Oil are directed back to support our communities and culture.

For more information please contact john.davis@qalipudevelopment.com

Determining the correct price for your craft products will be one of the most important steps in making your business a success. Taking the time to figure out just how much it costs to make your work will not only ensure you are being paid properly, it will also give you the confidence to establish a fair price for your products in the marketplace.

Join Craft Specialist Brenda Stratton and her presentation on Craft Pricing Formulas.

Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 PM

To Register: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LXW9HGK

Emily Critch is an artist, curator, and writer of Mi’kmaq and settler ancestry from Elmastukwek, Ktaqmkuk Territory (Bay of Islands, Newfoundland). She received her BFA in Visual Arts from Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland (2018) and has just begun her MFA in Criticism and Curatorial Practice with OCAD University remotely this fall. Emily has exhibited her work with Grenfell Art Gallery, Eastern Edge Gallery, The Rooms, the Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art (Iceland), and she is the 2020-2021 Don Wright Scholar at St. Michael’s Printshop. Print media and textiles are intimate and labour intensive processes she uses to transform and transfer L’nu stories. The foundation of her artistic and curatorial practice is to consider the political and creative ways Indigenous People’s care for their traditions, kinships, and sovereignties through different modes of storytelling and connecting with land.

Register for the talk here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LXW9HGK

Qalipu First Nation will hold its second Annual General Assembly (AGA) to discuss the activities of the Band for the fiscal year of 2019-2020. The AGA will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2020 at 1:30 pm at the Albatross Hotel in Gander, NL

Members of the Band are invited to pre-register for the meeting if attending in person. Please be advised that attendance is limited due to COVID-19 restrictions that are currently in place. To pre-register, please call 634-5111 or email council@qalipu.ca. Pre-registration for the AGA will close at 12:00PM October 22.

The Annual Report detailing activities over the past fiscal year is online, see below. Printed copies will be available at the meeting, and at our office locations for pickup following the AGA.

View Annual Report

Melissa Peter-Paul is an experienced quill artist from Abegweit First Nation in Epekwitk (Prince Edward Island). Her training in quillwork is grounded in traditional techniques and steeped in her upbringing as a Mi’kmaw woman surrounded by a family of basket makers.

Join Melissa for her artist talk this Thursday at 7:00 PM where she will speak about her business, family, harvesting and finding balance.

Register for this free event here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LXW9HGK

On September 27, 2020, Qalipu First Nation held its Annual General Assembly (AGA) in Corner Brook.

At the meeting, Band leadership presented on the audited financial statements, and departmental activity throughout the previous fiscal year.

Some members of the Band were in attendance while many others tuned in to watch the live stream and pose their questions online through the ginu membership database and the new “Leave a Message for Chief and Council (https://qalipu.ca/leave-a-message-for-chief-and-council/) form”.

If you missed the meeting, the AGA stream is available for viewing within the ginu portal. Click here to login to ginu (https://qalipu.ca/login-options/) and access the video under the Communication Preferences tab, and find it under the heading “Member Live Stream”

If you require assistance accessing Ginu, please contact Evan at 634-7389.

Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 PM Join Jenelle Duval who will talk about her journey as a musician, and explore themes of reclamation and territory through lyrics, narratives, songs and stories from her life as a musician. We heard she will also share a song or two!

This is the first of a month-long series of artist talks, professional development and other opportunities as part of the Experience Qalipu Virtual Indigenous Art & Craft Symposium. Find out more and register here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2606150556363105