The Youth Summer Employment Program provides wage support to community organizations who, in turn, provide indigenous youth with meaningful employment and skills.
Businesses are selected from each of the nine Wards, and one recipient is chosen from locations outside the Wards as well.
Indigenous youth can apply directly to these businesses who are successful recipients of the Youth Summer Employment Program.
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The Government of Canada issued this newsletter to provide Indigenous peoples with information related to Bills C-68 and C-69, including engagement opportunities on regulatory and policy development.
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The Qalipu First Nation wishes to advise its membership that effective April 18, 2019 the Ward Councilor for the Corner Brook Ward, Brian Dicks, has been granted a thirty day leave of absence and will not be available for regular duties of the Ward Councilor.
A Corner Brook Ward meeting took place on March 5, 2019 and will occur again as usual in the Fall.
The Corner Brook Membership Orientation session will go ahead as planned 7:00 PM on April 24 at Bennett Hall-Masonic Hall with the support of staff and other members of the Council in the western region.
This leave of absence is supported by the Chief and Council.
Members from the Corner Brook Ward are encouraged to contact their Vice Chief Keith Cormier or Chief Brendan Mitchell if they have questions, concerns, or wish to connect during this absence from office for the Corner Brook Ward Councilor.
Kwe’
In this edition of Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k (the caribou are travelling together) we have a lot of great news to share.
On Page 3, breaking news regarding our acceptance into the Atlantic Policy Congress. This is a positive step forward on the heels of our acceptance into the Assembly of First Nations just last year. We are all looking forward to working together with other First Nations in Canada.
The Membership Orientation Community Tour is wrapping up with the final dates coming up this month. Find all the details to attend a session in Port au Port, Corner Brook, Benoit’s Cove or St. John’s and, if you can’t attend in person, find a link to the online edition of the Membership Information Guide on Page 4 and stay tuned for an upcoming online information session.
Also, in this edition, Cultural Connections, on Page 5 is an inspiring story about finding a personal connection to one’s family history on display at the National Museum of History. Find other great stories on celebrating and sharing our culture on Page 6 (Indigenous School Outreach), Page 8 (Eagle Feather Bestowment Ceremony) Page 12 (Ancient Art Explored) and Page 13 (Crafting a Connection Cultural Workshop Series).
As always, please feel free to submit your stories, photos and upcoming events so that we can share them with our communities in the newsletter and on our Indigenous Community Calendar. Please send to communications@qalipu.ca
Wela’lin
Alison
Kwe’
It’s been a very long but busy winter at Qalipu First Nation. We have seen some substantial advances and as spring brings forward growth and new life, we look forward to new opportunities at Qalipu First Nation.
Recently, we’ve taken a positive step forward in building our relationship within the broader Mi’kmaq community in Atlantic Canada. On April 11, we were accepted into the Atlantic Policy Congress. This regional policy, research and advocacy organization plays an important role in economic development activities across the region in support of all Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passmaquoddy and Innu communities across Atlantic Canada. We are pleased to be a part of this organization and look forward to working in unity and collaboration with our First Nation neighbours.
The Band recently completed the first phase of certification with the First Nations Financial Management Board. This certification gives us greater financial independence and opportunity. This certification also shows that our First Nation has sound financial and business practices in place as we plan for the long-term success of the Band.
On April 2, we were pleased to announce a new development that provides for more sustainable funding for our membership, and a stronger sense of self-determination for our Nation. We signed a ten-year grant funding agreement with Indigenous Services Canada. The agreement marks a significant departure from annually allocated funds that were often lacking in flexibility and autonomy for the Band and marks a new opportunity for creating a shared vision for the future with the people we represent. The Agreement is effective as of April 1, 2019.
I’m especially pleased with the effort that is being put forward by our staff with regards to membership engagement throughout the province. We have met with people in Grand Falls-Windsor, Gander, Gander Bay, St. George’s, Stephenville, Flat Bay and Burgeo. The final leg of the tour will include Port au Port, Corner Brook, Benoit’s Cove and St. John’s.
Regarding enrolment, we continue to be engaged in exploratory discussions with the Government of Canada regarding treatment of military and RCMP (veterans) and those who were former members of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians who have lost status or who were not admitted into the Band initially. Conversations have been ongoing since December and we are moving in a positive direction based on our discussions to date.
Our Education and Training Department has been working collaboratively with the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Unit to raise awareness of a summer employment opportunity for indigenous people. The Black Bear Program is six-week training opportunity conducted in Camp Gagetown, NB. It provides an opportunity for participants to gain basic military training, earn $4200, have all travel, accommodations and meals provided. As well, culture is integrated into all elements of training. I encourage people to consider this program as a rewarding summer employment opportunity. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2019. Find out more here: https://www.canada.ca/en/army/services/black-bear.html
I wish you all the best and hope you have a very happy and enjoyable Easter.
Wela’lin
Chief Brendan Mitchell
April 12, 2019 Corner Brook—Qalipu First Nation is pleased to share that following a recent meeting of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC), the Band has been accepted into the APC. This policy and advocacy body represents more than thirty First Nation communities in Atlantic Canada and Gaspe region of Quebec; as of April 11, 2019, the APC now counts Qalipu as its newest member.
As a regional policy, research and advocacy organization, the APC plays an important role in economic development activities across the region in support of all Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Passamaquoddy and Innu communities across the Atlantic. Following the vote, Chief Mitchell spoke to how Qalipu will work together with the APC, and what acceptance means for the Band and the Mi’kmaq people of Newfoundland.
“Reconciiation, for us, is unique. Acceptance by our own Mi’kmaq community continues to be an important aspect of our identity and our reconciliation. For us to be accepted here, for our people to be accepted here, this has a sense of coming home.”
Qalipu has already been working with the APC in areas of Education, Community Development and Natural Resources and looks forward to new ways of collaborating and building strength as a united First Nation peoples.
Chief Mitchell noted, “Our wish at Qalipu First Nation is to work collaboratively with other Chiefs and Indigenous communities across Atlantic Canada in an effort to work to build a better tomorrow for all Mi’kmaq people.”
About Qalipu
Qalipu First Nation is a vibrant Mi’kmaq First Nation established in 2011 as an Indigenous Band under the Indian Act. With a large membership spread across 67 traditional Newfoundland Mi’kmaq communities and abroad, we are one of the largest First Nation groups in Canada.
Newfoundland is part of the traditional Mi’kmaq Nation whose territory extends from Quebec through the Maritime Provinces and into Newfoundland.
April 11, 2019 Corner Brook—Throughout March and April, Qalipu is travelling around the island to deliver information sessions regarding the many programs services and benefits that are available through the Band, and to familiarize new members who may have a lot of questions about what it means to belong to the Qalipu First Nation.
Orientation Sessions feature a general overview of all programs, services and benefits, and subject matter experts are on hand to answer questions on hot topics like health benefits, education funding, community engagement and registration. Members of Council are also on hand to answer questions.
People attending these sessions also receive their copy of the new Membership Information Guide—a colorful and easy to read quick reference guide to every program, service and benefit that is available to members of the Band.
Sessions have been delivered in Grand Falls-Windsor, Gander, Gander Bay, St. George’s, Stephenville, Flat Bay, and Burgeo. The final leg of the tour will include stops in Port au Port, Corner Brook, Benoit’s Cove and St. John’s.
We hope to see you there!
Port au Port Tuesday, April 23, 7:00 PM Our Lady of Fatima Parish Community Centre, 13 NL-460, Aguathuna Corner Brook Wednesday, April 24, 7:00 PM Bennett Hall-Masonic Hall, 11 West Street, Corner Brook
St. John’s Thursday, April 25, 2019, 7:00 PM First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity, 81 Cochrane Street, St. John’s
Benoit’s Cove Monday, April 29, 7:00 PM Community Room, 103 Hillview Rd., Benoit’s Cove
CAN’T ATTEND IN PERSON?
View the online copy of the Membership Information Guide and stay tuned for an upcoming information session to be hosted online.
Media:
Alison White
Communications Officer
Qalipu First Nation
709-649-7194
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