“When I hear drums beating, I can feel it in my heart,” said Verlie Sharpe of Grand Falls-Windsor. Verlie is a proud Mi’kmaw woman and for her it means the world to claim Mi’kmaq heritage as her own. “I am very proud to be called Mi’kmaw”, she said. Verlie is the Vice President of the Exploits Aboriginal Community group, a member of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network, and a member of Eastern Door.

Through her involvement with the Exploits Valley Aboriginal Community Group Verlie shares her knowledge of drumming and culture with youth, seniors, and everyone in between. Along with the group, Verlie was a part of the opening ceremony for Special Olympics in 2019. “I feel honoured and proud to do so along without Aboriginal Group and the children from Bernie’s Puktew,” said Verlie. Aside from sharing aspects of culture, she has also facilitated seniors workshops in the area for seniors, violence prevention, and lateral violence to make her community a better place for everyone.

Verlie is passionate about her culture and she stays connected in the way she lives her everyday life, “I am an outdoors person,” she said, “I fish, I harvest moose in the fall and give back thanks to the Creator by offering tobacco to the surrounding area. I pick berries whenever they are available and bottle them as well as moose, rabbit, seal, and caribou. Verlie is also talented at many aboriginal crafts, she has made rattles, baskets, sealskin mittens, moccasins and she does beadwork as well.

When asked about her vision for the future of Qalipu, Verlie said “I would love to see a Powwow in central and would love to see more programs in central for aboriginal children.”

Qalipu First Nation wishes to advise its membership of a change to the Council makeup following the resignation of Youth Representative Jessica Saunders late last week. The youth election held at the inaugural Mawita’jik Maljewe’jk (youth gathering) also 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. Alternate Youth Representative Salome Barker will now take the youth seat on Council.

Saunders noted that her family commitments made it difficult to dedicate herself fully to the role of Youth Representative but that she has appreciated her time on Council and hopes to be involved again in the future when her son is older.

She said, “I am very grateful for the kindness you guys have shown me and Leo, and I am sure that I will see you all again. I wish you all many blessings and joy. Thank you so much”

Salome Barker, also from central Newfoundland, is looking forward to the new role. She expressed gratitude for all the work Jessica has done and talked about her vision for working with Council.

“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.

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.

Qalipu First Nation is conducting a land use survey in partnership with Marathon Gold. The data from the survey will be used to prepare a report to help advise the Environmental Assessment process for the proposed goldmine near Valentine Lake. 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 Marathon Gold nor will it be published.

More information on the Valentine Lake project can be found on Marathon Gold’s website (https://marathon-gold.com/valentine-gold-project/).

To take the survey click here, or copy and paste the URL into your browser:
https://trailmarkapp.com/tm/?client=qalipu&survey=369cac9cd056885f6831053a821b2c43
The survey is estimated to take just under 1 hour to complete.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns about the survey please contact Ian Sullivan at isullivan@qalipu.ca

Darlene Sexton is a long-standing leader within the Indigenous community of St. George’s and Bay St. George.  She has volunteered in many capacities over the years and has been an invaluable friend and mentor to young people who want to learn about their culture and traditions. 
 
Marlene Farrell, Chief of the St. George’s Indian Band is one of Darlene’s dearest friends.  She shared some of Darlene’s volunteer history and community involvement. 
 
“Darlene is the Secretary of the St. George’s Indian Band”, Marlene said, “she helps organize events that we put together including Indigenous Peoples Day activities and the Elders Christmas Dinner.  She leads our group in Medicine Wheel teachings too.” 
 
Marlene noted that more than that, Darlene is a trusted friend.  They have long been seen side by side through countless moments in their lives as teachers and community leaders. 
 
Recently, the Indian Cove Women’s Circle held an election and voted in an all new Executive, in part to give women who had been running the group for years a break, and to provide a chance for current leaders to pass on leadership roles and teachings.  
 
Lori Fillatre, the new Secretary for the Circle commented on Darlene’s leadership.  “She is a past president and secretary and has been involved with the group for years.  Coming into the Circle, into this new role, Darlene made all the difference in inviting us to her home to talk about our new roles and responsibilities.  We all felt so welcome and supported.” 
 
Lori also noted that Darlene has been mentoring her in learning the Moon Ceremony.  She said, “Darlene was welcoming when I expressed an interest in learning more about the Moon Ceremony teachings.  She responded with willingness and warmth.  She is always available to answer any questions I might have, and she continues to offer encouragement and support.” 
 
Darlene continues to be an active member of the Indian Cove Women’s Circle while also supporting the Indigenous Education Committee with Qalipu First Nation, volunteering to bring Mi’kmaq cultural education into the classroom with Qalipu’s Education Outreach Program, she’s an Elder with the Elders and Youth Breaking the Silence on Mental Health Project, and she’s a member of the Feather Carrier’s group as well. 
 
The Feather Carriers are a group of strong community people who have received mental health and cultural support training to promote life by encouraging others to be well and seek support in difficult times.  Darlene certainly carries herself in a way that lets others know she is here for them.  She has a big heart and a kind way with others. 
 
Darlene taught Mi’kmaw Studies at Appalachia High School in St. George’s, an addition to school programming that was only possible if someone with extensive knowledge was available to teach the content, such as Darlene who gladly did so.  In a school with such a high percentage of children with Indigenous roots, her years spent teaching this program were much appreciated by students, parents and faculty alike. 
  
Bayview Academy Principal Wally Childs recalls time spent in the school with Darlene.  He said, “She was the inspiration for our powwows that we held.  She was insistent on getting it up and running and poured a great deal of time and effort into organizing them.” 
  
Childs also noted that Darlene promoted the Mi’kmaq culture every chance she got and pushed for the inclusion of Mi’kmaq in the social studies curriculum. 
  
He said, “She was a leader who saw the benefits of connecting the school with the community. 
  
Darlene is married, has two daughters and three grandchildren.  Spending time with family is important to Darlene, as is being an active member of her community. 
 
Thank your Darlene for your leadership, keep up the great work! 

If you’ve ever attended an event with drumming in central it is likely you have seen Bob Young of Grand Falls-Windsor. Bob is an active member of the Exploits Valley Community Group where he served as Vice-President for four years and is now the Director. I have had the pleasure of getting to know him through his association with the group. One thing you will notice immediately about Bob is his kind nature and his passion for his culture.

Bob was born and raised in Grand Falls-Windsor, growing up his family had no idea that his mother was Mi’kmaq. “It was surprising when we all found out,” he said. This realization that a part of his life had been missing set him down a different path. “To learn about my culture meant everything to me,” Bob said.

The Mawio’mi in Central is an event dear to him, Bob was co-chair of the first and second annual Mawio’mi in Grand Falls-Windsor. He said it was an honor to work with Elders from Western who shared their knowledge during this time. Bob played a large part in constructing the first sweat lodge in Grand Falls-Windsor where he took part in some of the very first sweats and learned traditional knowledge from traditional sweat lodge keepers.

To learn all the different aspects of the culture he spends his time learning about medicines, songs, dances, languages, and stories. Through his culture Bob has found a creative outlet for himself, in his spare time you can find him making moose antler necklaces, medicine bags, painting wall plaques, and smudge boxes. I’ve mentioned his kind nature, Bob is also incredibly generous as he gifts a lot of his crafts to his friends and family.

Involving youth in culture is something Bob feels strongly about and works hard towards. He shares with youth any opportunity he can at libraries and schools, I’ve never known Bob to say no to sharing his culture with anyone. With the Exploits Valley Community Group, he shares songs, drumming, language, and other knowledge. He says the reason he likes to share with the youth is “to make sure they have a source to learn their culture for the future of our Mi’Kmaq culture is in their hands.” He wants to see youth work with their Elders from different communities and give their input on community problems as well.

When asked about his vision for the future of Qalipu Bob said, “I hope to see the coming together of the different Mi’Kmaq communities in central to carry on the Mawio’mi”. He would also like to see a new approach to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal seniors in central.

Bob’s dedication to the rejuvenation of Mi’Kmaq culture in central is commendable, he is a community leader in so many ways. Pride in his Mi’kmaq roots shines through in the things he does for his community.

Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XT9DM7V

Deadline to register is June 12, 2020
100 kits are available, limit is 1 per household.
Kits will be mailed / delivered.

Medicine Bag Making Workshop for National Indigenous Peoples Day!

The Qalipu Cultural Foundation will provide kits for a medicine bag making workshop to take place on National Indigenous Peoples Day. There are 100 spots available, its free of charge, materials to be mailed out in advance. Follow the link to register by Monday, June 8 !

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M7BPZS3

*Materials will be mailed to participants prior to the event

Pat Cameron is originally from Grand Falls-Windsor and currently resides in Point of Bay. Connecting with family members and other Mi’kmaq people keeps her grounded and involved in cultural activities. Pat is involved in her community and brings together people from all over central Newfoundland as president of the Exploits Valley Aboriginal Community Group (EVACG). For Pat being able to freely express her Mi’kmaq culture is not something she takes for granted as she noted that this was not something her grandparents nor parents had the privilege to do.

Aside from being president of the EVACG she is also a member of Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network and Eastern Door, and Past President of Exploits Native Women’s Association and has facilitated Senior’s Workshops, Violence Prevention, and Lateral Violence workshops in the Exploits Valley region.

I had the pleasure of meeting Pat through the EVACG when I started helping with the youth group called Bernie’s Puktew. Involving children in cultural activities is something that Pat strives to do by including them in all the presentations she facilitates and creating new opportunities specifically for youth. Through the EVACG they offer cultural presentations at libraries, schools, multi-cultural events, childcare centers, and senior care homes.

“These sharing sessions are a great learning opportunity for the young’ aboriginal and non-aboriginal students, with the awareness and knowledge they gain, we hope that they will share it with their families and peers,” she explained.

For Pat personally, staying connected to her Mi’kmaq culture means being aware of her surroundings. “I am very interested in vegetation, especially edible and medicinal plants and trees,” she said. In her free time, she collects plants to use in teas and canning. Berry picking is one of her many passions, she also does a number of other aboriginal crafts including, beading, making rattles, sealskin and leather jewelry, she is also a talented painter. Her talents and passion for her culture truly have no end because Pat is also a very talented drummer and singer and she shares this gift throughout the communities in Exploits Valley.

Whenever asked Pat can gather together a few drummers and really showcase beautiful Mi’kmaq music.

The restrictions put in place due to Covid-19 have not slowed her down any; since they have come into play, Pat has been following many tutorials and knowledge sharing videos that she shares with members of EVACG. It was also her idea to share daily gratitude with the group members to maintain a sense of togetherness and positivity through these dark times.

When asked what her vision for the future of Qalipu includes Pat said, “I would like to see Qalipu more visually represented in the public in central. I am looking forward to having larger presence events such as a Mawio’mi or even a pow wow. I would like to see a healing center in central and on the west coast to address all social and health needs for Qalipu members, such as doctors, mental health, legal support, addictions, domestic violence, dental, culturally based programs for all members.”

Pat is the embodiment of what it means to be a community leader. The work she does for Qalipu and her community does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

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