Minister John Abbott requests to meet with Qalipu First Nation – April 16, 2021

It’s not an unfamiliar request from the Honourable John Abbott, a Minister of many responsibilities, to sit with Qalipu First Nation. Minister Abbott reached out to Qalipu First Nation to continue communications and what turned to be very productive discussions on Monday, August 16, 2021. Conversations around conquering hurdles for Indigenous Child Wellness and Family Services, Education and Childcare, and Housing were some of the main topics of focus during the meeting.

We look forward to future conversation and achieving greater outcomes for all our members!

It has taken a community coming together to present this beautiful honor in the memory of what can be said to be for some, the unknown or forgotten Indigenous settlement, Crow Gulch, Newfoundland.

On the morning of Friday, August 20, 2021, a collaborative art piece by Mi’kmaw Artists Marcus Gosse and Jordan Bennett was installed and unveiled. The incredibly outstanding art mural can be seen at the parking lot for the trail leading to Crow Gulch – adjacent to the intersection of Griffin Drive and Lewin Parkway near the Corner Brook pulp and paper mill. Both artists, along with former Crow Gulch resident Margie Benoit Wheeler worked together, as Margie was able to share pictures and stories of her time growing up in the small community while unknowingly becoming an inspiration for the mural.

Margie Benoit Wheeler spoke during the unveiling, “We were the forgotten people between Corner Brook and Curling.” She then reflected on her memories for her relocated community, some heart-warming, and others very heart-breaking. While Mayor of Corner Brook Jim Parsons restated his recognition of Crow Gulch, “This was a community – Margie is a fountain of wealth – its time to reconcile.”

Gosse reflected on Bennett’s and his final artwork, both colleagues who were thankful to have such an opportunity to work together – how the mural commemorates 100 years since Crow Gulch was settled, the significance of the Indigenous rest spot created for the installation, and how it will provide education to youth, families, and tourists to enjoy. Gosse described the strong presence of the crows in their mural as a symbol of our ancestors coming back with messages and to be with us. The double curves representing our life cycle – 1st curve is birth, the middle curve is middle age, and the last curve representing senior/elder life. While the house chimneys release spiritual energies – all together show community, connectedness, and spiritual connections. In the coming months, there will be plaque signs leading from the parking lots rest stop to Crow Gulch where 45 families called home – to keep their honor and spirit alive.

Also present that morning was Author Douglas Walbourne-Gough who kindly read an exert from his 2019 published work, Crow Gulch. The book was dedicated to his grandparents Rudy and Ella Gough, also former residents of the community. Walbourne-Gough noted that today is a way to begin more dialog on Crow Gulch’s history that some people knew and some not at all. How it can bring light to the community and marginalization as it no longer exists and to extend reconciliation to Dunfield Park – which had been the relocation community for the last few families who were still in Crow Gulch in the very early 1970s.

 

Marathon Gold has advised that an Amendment to the Valentine Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been submitted to the NL Department of Environment and Climate Change.

Members of Qalipu First Nation are encouraged to provide comments to our Manager of Environment and Natural Resources Alyssa Hunter at ahunter@qalipu.ca or call 709-634-1500. Written comments regarding the Amendment must be received by September 25, 2021.

Comments may also be emailed to EAProjectcomments@gov.nl.ca or mailed to the following:

Mr. Eric Watton, M.Sc.

Project EAC Chair

Valentine Gold Project

Environmental Assessment Division

Department of Environment and Climate Change

P.O. Box 8700

St. John’s NL A1B 4J6

 

The EIS including the Amendment can be viewed on the Department’s web site at https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2015/

Voting will be done over the phone or online using a PIN that will be sent to voters by postage mail.

To receive your voter PIN please ensure your mailing address is up to date!
You can update your mailing address by completing the Voter Registration Form
or by going to your Ginu membership profile and updating your personal profile information

 

We recommend you take the additional step of updating your address with Indigenous Services Canada. You can reach them at 1 800 561 2266. For support doing this, you can connect with Nancy O’Connell our Indian Registration Administrator at (709) 634-4010 or email noconnell@qalipu.ca.

 

Qalipu Elections 2021 Additional Information

Qalipu Chief and Council would like to announce to its members that the position of Electoral Officer has been appointed to Carol Lahey. In this role, Carol will administer the upcoming Band Election for Fall 2021 in accordance with the Custom Rules Governing the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Elections.

Carol Lahey was a Deputy Electoral Officer in both 2012 and 2015 elections and was then appointed Electoral Officer during the last election in 2018. She has become very proficient in her understanding of the Qalipu election process, rules, and procedures. Lahey also brings with her experience working in both provincial and federal elections.

We look forward to another successful election in 2021.

To reach Carol, please email clahey@qalipu.ca or call 709-630-7678

Find a copy of the Election Code here: Election Code

Voters will receive an information package in the mail containing a secure PIN that they will use to vote either online or over the phone:

Question: What can I do to make sure I receive my voter information package in the mail?

Answer: We need your correct mailing address. Please register your current information by completing the Voter Registration Form or by updating your Ginu membership profile on your own

We are pleased to reopen our doors at our Qalipu offices and give an overdue Welcome back to our communities!

Newfoundland & Labrador’s mask mandate was lifted as of midnight August 10th, 2021.

• Masks are no longer required while working in our offices but are very much welcomed to individual preferences.
• All offices are now open for walk in traffic, as we did in pre-pandemic times.
• Further reopening of our community rooms for community-based groups bookings will be effective August 16th, 2021.

Qalipu offices will still undertake COVID screening protocols for guests and our barriers and hygiene practices will remain in place.

Take Care & Stay Safe!