artist working on new paint

Calling all Artists!

Qalipu Cultural Foundation seeking new logo for One Sky school project

The Qalipu Cultural Foundation (QCF) invites qualified individuals or artisans to submit a proposal for the development of a logo for the One Sky Program. One Sky is a new program designed to support the social an emotional wellbeing of school aged youth through cultural teachings and experiences. The program is aimed at ages 12-15 and will be facilitated within the school setting.

Please see below for the Expression of Interest and respond by 4:00 PM on October 30th.

Request for Expressions of Interest

 

A closeup shot of the head of a person in a traditional Native Indian-American festive hat with feathers

National Day of Remembrance – MMIWG Commemorative Ceremony in Corner Brook

Qalipu First Nation, in partnership with the Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association and the Mi’kmaq Drumming and Cultural Circle, invites you to join in a commemorative ceremony for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The gathering will take place on Sunday, October 4 at 1:00 PM at the gazebo in front of the Qalipu offices at 3 Church Street, Corner Brook. Everyone is welcome.

Please feel free to wear your regalia, and bring your rattle or drum to join in song sharing.

Press Release

Qalipu First Nation Supports the Chiefs of Nova Scotia

Qalipu First Nation is part of the traditional Mi’kmaq Nation whose territory consists of Gaspé Peninsula of Quebec as well as the northeastern region of Maine, the Maritime Provinces and Newfoundland.

The Chief and Council of Qalipu have been following the events around the legal moderate livelihood Mi’kmaq fishery in Nova Scotia. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our neighbouring Chief’s for taking an important stand in defending the 1752 Peace and Friendship Treaty, and the subsequent Marshall Decision upholding that Treaty. Qalipu fully supports the position of the Mi’kmaq Chiefs in Nova Scotia and the Mi’kmaq Grand Council which maintains Mi’kmaq rights to hunt, fish and earn a moderate livelihood and we stand with our Mi’kmaq neighbours in Nova Scotia in support of the 1999 Supreme Court decision.

While dispute between Mi’kmaq fishers and non-indigenous fishers is unfortunate and the aggression, unnecessary, it has never been clearer that it is time for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, to step in and bring resolution to this situation immediately. The Government must also denounce the racism that has been inflicted upon the Mi’kmaq by the non-Indigenous community. It has been 21 years since the Marshall Decision and “moderate livelihood” must be defined, and the necessary policy must be finalized through constructive discussions between the Mi’kmaq Chiefs and Canada.

Qalipu First Nation further calls on all involved to work together in the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect so that a peaceful resolution can be reached which supports the rights of Mi’kmaq fishers.

Left to right: Chief Brendan Mitchell, Lindsay Batt, Salome Barker, Alex Antle at the inaugural Mawita'jik Maljewe'jk Youth Gathering
Left to right: Chief Brendan Mitchell, Lindsay Batt, Salome Barker, Alex Antle at the inaugural Mawita'jik Maljewe'jk Youth Gathering

Message From The Chief – September 21, 2020

Kwe’

On behalf of Qalipu Council, our Executive Committee, and staff, I welcome you to our Annual General Assembly (AGA) 2020. Our approach to conducting our AGA this year differs from past years in that a virtual meeting, made available through live streaming, will allow a greater number of our members to view and participate in the AGA.

In recent months, there have been many precautions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  This situation has changed the way we interact, communicate, work, and socialize.  Qalipu First Nation continues to deliver beneficial programs and services to its membership.  While it’s not business as usual, we have been able to maintain a satisfactory level of service. I wish to take this opportunity to thank our Council and staff for their dedication and commitment in support of our members during this time. Going forward in dealing with COVID-19, we will continue to take necessary precautions to protect our staff and members. I encourage everyone to take this situation very seriously whether at home or at work by following prescribed measures to protect you and your family.

Qalipu First Nation was able to secure funding for our membership to offset some of the negative impacts of COVID-19. Funding program opportunities to date total $2,228,272 consisting of $52,975 COVID-19   Support Fund, $678,311 from a Community Emergency Response Fund for Emergency and Off Reserve and $1,496,987 from Canada’s Economic Response Plan for Post Secondary Student Support. In addition to Government of Canada’s support, Qalipu recognized the need to contribute an additional $266,745 to provide further support.

We are now coming to the end of year two of the three-year term of this Council. I wish to thank Councill members for their continued support and collaboration in advancing Qalipu on behalf of our members. Progress and successes have been achieved in many areas during the past year. A major accomplishment has been certification with the First Nations Financial Management Board. This certification involved a significant effort by staff and Council to enable Qalipu to become the fourth First Nation Band in Atlantic Canada to achieve this distinction. Certification with the First Nations Financial Management Board will ensure that Qalipu has the financial independence needed to grow as a Nation.

First Nations Financial Management Board certification was an integral step in the path towards ten- year grant funding which was introduced in 2019. The funding agreement marks a significant departure from our previous annual allocation of funds. The new ten-year funding arrangement allows Qalipu to tailor its own programs, carry money forward from year to year and focus on a vision for the future that is driven by people and communities. In conjunction with the ten-year grant funding arrangement, Qalipu is developing a Comprehensive Community Plan.

Qalipu continues to be an active member of the Assembly of First Nations and the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat. Membership in these organizations was achieved July 2018 and April 2019 respectively. During November 2019, senior representatives of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council visited Qalipu First Nation for the first time. This visit was a significant opportunity to establish a positive relationship with the Mi’kmaq Grand Council and Mi’kmaq of Atlantic Canada. Grand Council representatives included Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy, Grand Keptin Antle Denny, Keptin Stephen Augustine and Keptin Chief Mi’sel Joe.

Qalipu First Nation, in conjunction with its consultant, has been engaged in developing an updated Strategic Plan. Discussions were conducted with Council, staff, and members through community engagement sessions. This plan, which has a ten-year outlook, will be finalized in the third quarter of this year. I thank everyone who participated in this important initiative.

This past summer saw the cancellation of many significant cultural events here in Newfoundland, in Atlantic Canada and throughout Canada. Our staff at Qalipu compensated for the loss of in-person gatherings by using a virtual approach made possible through technology to share cultural initiatives.  Staff, community members and community organizations collaborated to share cultural information and teachings to our broader membership.

Enrolment in Qalipu First Nation continues to be an item of concern for Council. On November 15, 2018, the Government of Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians agreed to enter into exploratory discussions to address outstanding concerns regarding members of the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans, RCMP and FNI members or members of other organizations named in the 2008 Agreement in Principle and who were denied membership in Qalipu. Despite discussions beginning in earnest during December 2018, we are yet to finalize agreements to allow these groups membership in Qalipu. The veterans file has advanced positively, and discussions have been favourable as we now near finalization of an Agreement. Regarding those   affiliated with the FNI, discussions are ongoing with Canada and an Agreement will be forthcoming. Eventually, Qalipu members will become engaged in a ratification process to enable executing any new Agreements with the Government of Canada regarding enrolment.

Other initiatives for which discussions are ongoing include the establishment of an urban reserve and development of a Mi’kmaq language program at Qalipu.

In the coming year, we expect to see significant initiatives come to fruition. Qalipu members will experience a high level of community engagement by our Council as we endeavor to create a better tomorrow for our people and our Nation. Let’s commit to working together in peace, harmony and unity as we move forward.

Wela’lin

 

Chief Brendan Mitchell

man having presentation at seminar

Council Meeting – September 26, 2020

The next meeting of Council will be held at 10 am on Saturday, September 26, 2020 at the Corner Brook Civic Centre.

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 and we will be unable to provide refreshments at this event. To pre-register, please call 634-5111 or email council@qalipu.ca

You must pre-register no later than 12 noon on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020

Members are encouraged to tune in to a live-stream of the meeting which is accessible through the Ginu membership database. If you need help accessing your profile, or have questions about how to view the live-stream, please contact our Indian Registration Administrator (IRA) at 709-634-4010 or 1-855-263-6440

Ginu login: https://qalipu.ca/login-options/

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

View the meeting agenda here: Meeting Agenda

CB Nuit

CB Nuit Starts Tonight!

The annual CBnuit (https://www.facebook.com/CBnuit/) Art Festival is starting today! Qalipu First Nation is proud to be a sponsor of this event and we’re so excited to see all of the Indigenous involvement!

Alex Antle and Marcus Gosse are both participating artists and Angela Brockway will be leading a workshop.

Paul Pike will be opening the festival with a musical performance tonight at 7:00 PM, don’t miss it!

See the full schedule here: (https://www.cbnuit.com/2020-festival-schedule)

Photos: Art by Drew Pardy

Sabrina Muise Community Leader

Community Leader: Sabrina Muise

Sabrina Muise is so well known in the youth community that she was nominated to be featured as a community leader by someone who has never actually met her.  Cassie Stead lives in Ontario and noted that it is through Sabrina’s strong online presence that she has found a connection to her First Nation back home in Newfoundland.

“I actually don’t know her personally,” noted Cassie, “but she has been a leader, and a powerful voice to the youth. She has inspired me to be more vocal about my heritage and in learning all I can. Through her social media presence, she has allowed youth to reconnect with their Indigenous roots from afar. I left Newfoundland to pursue studies in Ontario and following her, and being a part of the Qalipu Youth Network, has allowed me to maintain connectedness. She does such a great job through social media.”

Qalipu Youth Network

Youth Group

Qalipu Council Youth Representative Salome Barker works with Sabrina on the Youth Network and has nothing but praise for her friend and colleague.  She said, “I’ve known Sabrina now for a few years and each year that goes on she continues to amaze me with her creativeness and her passion for empowering youth.  She is multitalented, a fancy shawl dancer, drummer and singer.  Sabrina is so humble when it comes to all the work that she does.  She’s so wise for her age and is continuously working in favour of all Indigenous youth in Ktaqmkuk.  She really is a shining light whenever she walks into a room, her kindness and patience are woven into all her work.  I’m so lucky to have a nitap like Sabrina in my life, she’s a community leader in so many forms and I cannot wait to see all the wonderful things she’s going to do in the future.”

Hard at Work

People of the Dawn
The Ka’qawej Community Media Project is a team of youth (15-30 years), supported & mentored by the people who have “made it” in their communities. They strive for personal growth & try to make a difference in their communities.

Sabrina works with the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre as a Project Coordinator.  Executive Director Patrick Park-Tighe said that Sabrina is an amazing addition to the team and has a lot to offer.

“Sabrina’s hard work has been transformative both in her youth participants and the community groups that they have partnered with. Youth working with Sabrina have gained a deeper understanding of social media, its benefits, and its dangers while local non-profits have created stronger connections to youth while co-creating media content that is informative, engaging, and timely.”

Patrick also commented on Sabrina’s ability to lead youth in contributing to the success of local non-profits.  “Her insights and creativity have paved the way for local youth to contribute directly to the success of local non-profits,” he said, “Additionally, Sabrina has balanced the focus on content creation with thoughtful explorations of individuals’ strengths and talents, and the Indigenous identity.”

Join the Ka’qawej Community Media Project here: https://www.facebook.com/kaqawejyouth/

Family, Friends, and the Mi’kmaq Way

Left to right: Sabrina’s mom, Shirley Muise, Sabrina, Aunt Gertie Mai Muise, Aunt Sharon Muise, and cousin Juanita Muise
Left to right: Sabrina’s mom, Shirley Muise, Sabrina, Aunt Gertie Mai Muise, Aunt Sharon Muise, and cousin Juanita Muise

Sabrina was humbled to learn that she had been nominated for the Community Leaders feature.

Sabrina said, “I am so appreciative for the nomination, and confidence in me as a helper to our people. I’m honored to be considered amongst such other amazing people from our Qalipu community!”

Sabrina talked about her upbringing, and a strong need to pass on the care that she received in the Indigenous community.  “Having been raised in the system with just my mother, I’ve always felt the love, support, and guidance by my Indigenous kin. I feel a huge responsibility to pass that down. Love, kindness, demonstrating that everyone has something valuable to share and a safe space to go to. It’s such an essential concept of our Mi’kmaq culture that I want all youth to feel.

Regarding her hopes for the future of young people in the Indigenous community, Sabrina had this to say, “It’s my second year working with youth (15-30 years) at the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to redesign my project during quarantine.

Having worked with youth the previous year and been to the Qalipu Youth Gathering in 2019, I realized that youth are hungry for culture, and self care opportunities. So, I created a whole workshop and sharing circle series connecting youth with Mi’kmaq leaders of Nujio’qonik, providing opportunities for them to meet our people, gain insights on how to navigate the fast life, learn about our culture, and my favourite: to be a part of a province-wide kinship. When we create programming that serves youth and meets them where they’re at, that’s when we see youth come together, collaborate, and inspire each other. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness, and it’s honestly been a dream come true!”

Congratulations to Sabrina, and keep up the good work!

 

Join the Qalipu Youth Network

 


Story by Alison White (awhite@qalipu.ca), on behalf of Qalipu First Nation.

DIY Projects Facebook Post

Virtual Indigenous Art and Craft Symposium – Schedule of Events Added

Experience Qalipu will deliver a Virtual Indigenous Art and Craft Symposium to take place over the month of October.

The symposium will offer two sessions each week, a professional development session every Tuesday and an artist talk every Thursday. Please see below for the schedule of events.

To register for this event, please fill out this form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LXW9HGK

If you have any questions or require assistance with registration, please contact Alex Antle at aantle@qalipu.ca

For the Artist Talk Schedule, Click here

For the Professional Development Schedule, Click here

 

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Annual Report Now Online!

Qalipu First Nation will hold its Annual General Assembly (AGA) to discuss the activities of the Band for the fiscal year of 2019-2020. The AGA will be held on September 27 at 1:30 pm in Corner Brook at the Civic Centre.

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.

Members are encouraged to tune in to a live stream of the meeting which is accessible through the Ginu membership database. If you need help accessing your profile, or have questions about how to view the live stream, please contact our Indian Registration Administrator at 709-634-4010 or toll free (Newfoundland only) at 1-855-263-6440

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

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Notice of Qalipu First Nation Annual General Assembly

Please be advised that the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band will hold its Annual General Assembly (AGA) to discuss the activities of the Band for the fiscal year of 2019-2020. The AGA will be held on September 27 at 1:30 pm in Corner Brook at the Civic Centre.

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.

Members are encouraged to tune in to a live stream of the meeting which is accessible through the ginu membership database.  If you need help accessing your profile, or have questions about how to view the live stream, please contact our Indian Registration Administrator at 709-634-4010 or toll free (Newfoundland only) at 1-855-263-6440

The Annual Report will be published on our website, copies will be available at the meeting, and at our office locations for pickup. For your reference, please find a copy of our 2019-2020 audited financial statements, which will be presented at the AGA, here: https://qalipu.ca/reports-and-financial-statements/