Youth Representative Salome Barker Sworn In at Recent Meeting of Council
A Council meeting was held in Corner Brook on Thursday, July 23. Pictured here, new Youth Representative Salome Barker signs the oath of office with Chief Brendan Mitchell and Elder Odelle Pike looking on.
Salome noted,
“I’m very honoured and privileged to have a seat on the Qalipu Council as a youth councillor. I’m excited to bring so many Indigenous youths voices to the table and continue to uplift their voices and ideas. There are countless Mi’kmaq youth across the province who are doing tremendous work in cultural revitalization, supporting their communities and making positive change for future generations to come. I do believe that Qalipu youth are the future of Qalipu First Nation and it’s incredibly important to hear us and continue to make room for our voices. I know that I have the support from Mi’kmaq youth within our youth network and that they will be by my side throughout this journey. I’m looking forward to this new position and will have the youth as my top priority. Thank you for this opportunity. Msit No’kmaq.”
The Youth designed their own election code in which the responsibilities of the Youth Representative, elected for a one-year term, are as follows:
- Form and maintain a Youth Advisory Network.
- Lead the planning activities for the Youth Gathering.
- Represent the youth voice at the Qalipu First Nation Band Council.
- Carry forward recommendations to the Qalipu First Nation Band Council that arise from the annual Youth Gathering.
- Attend meetings of the Qalipu First Nation Band Council (estimated at six meetings per year).
- Report back to the Youth Advisory Network after Qalipu First Nation Band Council meetings.
- Establish and maintain a social media space for the Youth Advisory Network.
- Serve as an ambassador of Qalipu’s Youth Members.
- Be open-minded and listen to other ideas.
- Be respectful.
- Engage Indigenous youth.
- Represent the Qalipu First Nation at events where required.
- Facilitate discussions among the Youth Advisory Network to generate ideas, projects, and programs.
- Be active in local community groups.
- Get involved with local schools and engage youth at that level.
The youth election held at the inaugural Mawita’jik Maljewe’jk (youth gathering) last fall included the election of an Alternate Youth Representative to share the duties of the role or step up in the absence of the elected representative. Following the resignation of Youth Representative Jessica Saunders in June, Alternate Youth Representative Salome Barker will now take the youth seat on Council.
Salome will hold the seat until the next youth gathering which is scheduled to take place again later in the fall if gatherings are permitted.
QFN 2019-2020 Audited Financial Statements Now Available
The consolidated financial statements linked below represent all the Band activity during the last fiscal year including the Qalipu Development Corporation, Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries, Qalipu Project Support Services, Qalipu Marine Holdings and Qalipu Management Services. These statements will be presented in detail at the upcoming Annual General Assembly on September 13 in Corner Brook, location to be announced. Our auditor and Director of Finance will be on hand to present the statements and answer questions at that time. You may also e-mail the Director of Finance directly at jwells@qalipu.ca
Please click here to view the Audited Financial Statements for the 2019-2020 Year
New Financial Certification for Qalipu First Nation
Qalipu First Nation is excited to share news regarding a certification that the Band has been working toward for the past two years. On Tuesday, July 28, 2020, the Qalipu First Nation was awarded the Financial Management System (FMS) Certificate through the First Nation Financial Management Board (FNFMB). This certification demonstrates strong governance and finance practices and will allow for greater flexibility for the First Nation in creating its plan for the future.
Band Chief Brendan Mitchell noted that FMS certification is based on international finance and governance standards and is an accomplishment of which all Band members can be proud.
“We have worked hard to develop the policies and procedures that demonstrate financial responsibility, transparency and accountability worthy of this rigorous certification process. Our membership can take comfort in knowing Band funds are responsibly managed and be proud of working together in a good way as we plan for our future.”
Director of Finance Jodie Wells said that while it was a lengthy process to obtain the certification, it was well worth the effort and she is proud of the work of the Qalipu team including the Finance and Audit Standing Committee who worked with her every step of the way.
“We have worked hard as a team to develop new policies and procedures as well as adjust and try again as we underwent testing by the FNFMB. I’m so proud of the work we have done. Our day-to-day operations are smoother than ever, and we have the ability to plan and manage long-term strategic projects.”
For more information about the FMFMB and certification for First Nations, please visit https://fnfmb.com/en/benefits (https://fnfmb.com/en/benefits) .
2020 Pow Wow Pitch competition, presented by RBC
In celebration of Indigenous entrepreneurship and empowerment across Canada, Pow Wow Pitch is pleased to announce the launch of its 2020 Pow Wow Pitch competition, presented by RBC. Running from June 22, 2020 through October 20, 2020, Pow Wow Pitch 2020 will offer Indigenous entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete in a virtual, three round pitching contest, with winners awarded prizes up to $10 000.
In partnership with RBC, Shopify, Canada Post, BDC and NACCA, Pow Wow Pitch 2020 will be hosted virtually for the first time, giving entrepreneurs nationwide the opportunity to “pitch” their business idea via video submission starting June 21, 2020. 125 finalists will be selected and will work one-on-one with a business mentor before pitching their ideas via Facebook Live from September 21 to 25, 2020. From there, the Top 25 will pitch a second time with the hopes of becoming one of 3 national winners or 13 provincial winners selected on October 20, 2020.
Launched in 2015, Pow Wow Pitch was first founded by social entrepreneur Sunshine Tenasco with the aim of empowering and elevating other Indigenous entrepreneurs through mentorship, exposure, and start-up funding. Held annually each year during the Summer Solstice Festival in Ottawa, the competition has awarded prizes to over 20 entrepreneurs over the past six years, ranging from photography businesses to soap producers.
“Good business and trade have always been a part of Indigenous ways. We dealt with fairness and we knew that honesty, love for community, and strong relationships are the way we all prosper. It’s time to show the world what ‘good trade’ means,” says Sunshine Tenasco
“Indigenous businesses will play a huge role in Canada’s economic recovery, but this can only be achieved if Canada works in partnership with Indigenous nations toward full economic reconciliation,” says Dale Sturges, National Director, Indigenous Financial Services at RBC. “We are proud to partner with Pow Wow Pitch, a First Nations-owned enterprise, shaping Canada’s future and providing a supportive, collaborative and empowering environment for Indigenous Entrepreneurs.”
The call for video submissions for Pow Wow Pitch opened Sunday, June 21, 2020. Details and rules of the competition can be found at: https://www.powwowpitch.org/
About Pow Wow Pitch
Founded in 2015 by Sunshine Tenasco, who was inspired to pay it forward and give Indigenous people the same drive and inspiration she felt when she pitched her business idea on the Dragons’ Den. Pow Wow Pitch supports Indigenous Entrepreneurs through micro start-up cash and mentorship while providing a safe, supportive, collaborative and empowering environment that addresses the challenges of Indigenous entrepreneurs.
About RBC Indigenous Financial Services Group
For more than 100 years, RBC has been building strong relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities across Canada. We are committed to serving Indigenous governments, communities, organizations, businesses and individuals by creating opportunities for sustainable economic development through access to banking and capital, community and social development, employment, education and training and procurement. RBC also provides donations and grants that support Indigenous interests. More information is available at: https://www.rbc.com/indigenous
Community Leaders: Kellie Kerpan
Kellie Kerpan is a community leader from Badger who was nominated for this segment by a number of people. This demonstrates that Kellie is truly a leader and is making a difference in her community. Upon asking Kellie to take part in this segment she said she was surprised and humbled to be nominated, “I do not see myself as any different or stand out any more than my neighbor. I have a passion for bettering and helping my people.”
For Kellie, being L’nu is her core identity and has been from a very young age. “I have been so fortunate that our family has never hidden who we are as L’nu people. Though people attempted to shame them for being L’nu, they stood proud of their heritage and genealogy,” she explained.
This is particularly important to Kellie because her grandfather, John Paul was born and raised in a time where being a part of any tribe of Indigenous people was considered a bad thing, she explained, “my grandfather and other relatives often spoke of the racism and poor attitudes towards the Indigenous people that were present in Badger in their time. They were often treated as servants, not allowed to other children’s birthday parties or gatherings. Often, they were shunned from jobs with the “company” if it were known you were Mi’Kmaw.”
Kellie is a very active member of the community she sits on the executive of the cultural group, Na’taqamtug and she has coordinated and facilitated a number of cultural activities in her community. “I am connected through the people, my crafting, and most importantly the land and water,” she said. The land and the water are healing for her and you can often find her walking the shorelines of in the forest wondering about our ancestors and the stories that have been passed down. “It is in those times, I know I am connected, and they can hear me and my prayers,” she said. Kellie describes herself as a spiritual person, partaking in sweats when available, making offerings, smudging, sharing knowledge and yearning to be connected to others and to learn from them.
Kellie lives her life in honor of her ancestors and she tries “to effect positive change and opportunities for all Indigenous people,” she said, “ I live each day to try to be better for my child, to teach him things that were taught to me, to learn new things, to listen to the Elders, take the time to sit and appreciate them and all they have been through. Be kind, be thoughtful, be loving, to forgive and to share what you have, even if you do not want to.”
It was in 2015 when Kellie returned to Badger after living away for many years in Alberta and British Columbia when she felt a huge void in culture and cultural activities for her son. During a drum making event in Badger facilitated by Qalipu Kellie, along with Colleen Paul, held a discussion with Michelle Matthews and it was decided that they would start a group in Badger. The group has since been a huge success and something that many community members had been longing for and needing.
Kellie has brought many activities to the community, oftentimes donating her personal supplies so these activities could happen. The community has seen drum making, moccasin, ribbon skirt/shirt classes, beading, dreamcatchers, birch bark baskets, porcupine quillwork, jewelry making and delivering NIPD events, harvesting and teaching others how to prep and tan and smoke a moose hide for craft use, and many other events, many of which were taught by Kellie herself. She has also facilitated a land-based learning camp with other partners, snowshoe making, mitten making, a youth, and elder group, organizing and starting and indigenous youth dance group, and going to local schools or other organizations to share culture and activities. She has also developed a program where the youth and Elders come together for an annual harvest of various foods in late summer/early fall. The foods are collected, preserved, and then dispersed to Elders and those in need in the community.
This all started in Badger when Kellie saw a need and worked hard herself to fill this cultural gap in the community that many people were longing to have filled for a long time. It is because of her son and her longing to share culture with him that really inspired Kellie to start hosting community events. “It is extremely important to me that my son knows the importance of being connected to others, sharing and caring, and the joy of doing for others that the creator brings you. Throughout the year, we will make cookies, meals or crafts and distribute them to various members in our town. Throughout this pandemic, I have realized more than ever the power of physical sharing and connections. A week into the pandemic, Jaxon asked me about the Elders and youth and how I thought they were doing. It was at that time, I realized just how much we missed them all and needed them. Jaxon and I have made bread (over 20 loaves each week), cookies, various meals, and cold plates and delivered them to the Elders in town every Sunday afternoon. We have also put together kits for youth and delivered them. It gives us the connection we need to maintain and in turn gives the Elders a little bit of company and a good meal, even if it is from a distance and a short time,” Kellie said.
Digital Engagement Sessions – Comprehensive Community Plan
Join Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) Coordinator Samantha Gardiner to discuss your vision and dreams for the future of Qalipu First Nation. The creation of a CCP will set the direction for QFN over the next 50 years, so dream big, what do you want to see happen, what services would you like to see added or improved, what needs do you have that are not being met, how can Qalipu First Nation grow and fill gaps in our communities by meeting the needs of all members? Your participation in the creation of this plan is the most important aspect of the CCP, created by the people.
Please register for one of our first two digital sessions here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FBZFR2D
Qalipu to Deliver COVID-19 Support Programs
Qalipu First Nation is pleased to share details on funds received through the Government of Canada’s Indigenous Community Support Fund following a call for proposals to address the impacts of COVID-19 on Indigenous communities. Of the $90 million available to regional, urban, and off-reserve Indigenous organizations, the Band will receive $678, 311 to implement its proposed project.
Band Manager Keith Goulding noted that this project will have a many faceted and positive impact on communities the Band represents.
“We cast our net wide to meet the objectives of this fund and provide the maximum support to our communities. Seniors and vulnerable people, food security, education, mental health, and COVID-19 preparedness measures were the cornerstones of this fund, and our project endeavours to provide support in all of these areas.”
Specifically, support from the Band will be delivered in the form of care kits for vulnerable community members, providing for essential transportation of vulnerable populations, wellness and prevention kits for youth, and a childcare expense support fund for essential workers.
Further details on eligibility and delivery of these funds will be shared with membership as project components are implemented.
For more information on the Indigenous Community Support Fund, including allocations across Canada, please click here
COVID-19 Return to Work Training
Qalipu First Nation Set to Reopen Offices
Qalipu First Nation wishes to advise its membership that its offices will begin a partial re-opening this Monday, July 20th. Offices will be open for appointments only during the Band’s summer hours work schedule; 8:30-4:00 Monday to Thursday and 8:30-12:30 on Fridays.
In March of this year, Qalipu closed its offices amid the COVID-19 pandemic and arranged to have employees work from home. Programs, benefits, and services continued at a high level of service and new virtual programming was developed to reach its membership during a time of social isolation and staying at home.
Chief Brendan Mitchell noted that with the province at alert level 2, it’s time to begin bringing some staff back into the office to meet with clients where necessary.
“We know that parents need support in renewing SCIS cards for their children, with hundreds if not thousands of cards expiring this year. It’s important that we bring back those essential staff members to meet with members to support them on this and other services such as understanding how to access health and education benefits.”
Members who wish to visit the office are reminded that an appointment is required and that health and safety measures are in place. Physical distancing, hand sanitizing, plexiglass barriers and other precautions including a COVID symptom questionnaire prior to visitors entering the office, will be in place. Business support appointments and meetings with community partners will continue to be conducted virtually at this time. Phone and video conferencing are both available.
To make an appointment, please contact the reception desk in the Corner Brook office at 634-0996.