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

April 2, 2019 Corner Brook—Qalipu First Nation is pleased to announce a new development that
provides for more sustainable funding for its membership, and a stronger sense of self-determination  for the nation.  On March 14, 2019 Qalipu 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 members it represents. The Agreement is effective as of April 1, 2019.

Band Manger Keith Goulding leads a group of some fifty staff in five office locations across the province. He commented on his pride in the work the team has put in, including working closely with the Financial Management Board (FMB) to obtain the certification needed for grant funding approval with Indigenous Services Canada.

Goulding said, “Receiving this grant is a great opportunity for our Band. We have been working to meet the eligibility guidelines, developing policies and procedures that are up to industry best standards and maintaining a high level of accountability and transparency with our members. The signing of this ten- year agreement means that the way we conduct ourselves in business is top notch, it allows us to set our own course and move our First Nation forward in a positive way.”

The new comprehensive funding agreement will allow the Band to design its own programs, carry money forward from year to year, and focus on creating a vision for the future that is driven by the people and communities it represents.

Qalipu’s Comptroller, Jodie Wells, plays a lead role in the Bands financial management.   Wells explained that members will not see sudden changes but that they will have more say in how the Band spends money going forward.

She said, “For now, we have a five-year budget in place that has been reviewed and approved by Council. Our members will not notice a sudden shift in the way we do business.  Going forward, we still have to be accountable in how we spend but there will be more accountability to our people and communities rather than to government.”

To prepare for the future, Qalipu recently began a three-year project to consult with membership to build a Comprehensive Community Plan. This Plan will help guide the way the Band grows in terms of

programs, services and development initiatives.

Wells added, “Consultations for the Comprehensive Community Plan are likely to begin in the fall and
will feature a variety of outreach and engagement approaches.  We hope that everyone will take the opportunity to have their say and be a part of a shared vision for the future.”

For more information about the Comprehensive Community Plan please contact Joanne at 634-6384 or email jharris@qalipu.ca

Media:
Alison White
Communications Officer
Qalipu First Nation
709-634-5163
awhite@qalipu.ca

Everything you need to Know about your Benefits, Programs and Services

March 21, 2019 Corner Brook—All members of the Band are invited to attend an upcoming orientation session, particularly new members who may have a lot of questions about what it means to be a member of the Qalipu First Nation.

Orientation Sessions will feature a general overview of all programs, services and benefits, and we will have subject matter experts available to answer questions on Education, Health, Indian Registration, and to share plans on the upcoming Community Planning that will take place across all Wards.   Members of Council will also be on hand.

Members attending an orientation session will 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 you as a member of the Band.

We hope to see you there!

March 14, 2019 Corner Brook – Qalipu First Nation congratulates its sister nation, Miawpukek
First Nation (MFN), on being part of an artic surf clam agreement that will bring benefits to MFN
while protecting existing plant operations and workers in Grand Bank, NL.

While we recognize the merits of the recently announced agreement struck between Clearwater
Seafoods Inc. and fourteen Mi’kmaq First Nations, thirteen in Nova Scotia and MFN in NL, Qalipu
First Nation must also note that the agreement benefits all but one resource-adjacent Mi’kmaq First
Nation: Qalipu. This was disappointing given that in the first round of the Department of Fisheries
and Oceans’ process for allocating Surf Clam quota, Qalipu partnered with all First Nations in
Newfoundland and Labrador, including Miawpukek First Nation, in a bid to access the allocation for
all provincial Indigenous peoples.

“Qalipu First Nation is the largest Indian Act Band in Canada, representing some twenty thousand
people,” noted Chief Brendan Mitchell. “We are pursuing ambitious economic development goals to
ensure our Band’s well-being, which includes the pursuit of fisheries opportunities. In 2017 our
Band announced a Fisheries Cooperation and Development Agreement with Barry Group Inc. and Allen’s
Fisheries Ltd. to prepare for a new commercial redfish fishery. This announcement was publicly
endorsed by then Minister of Fisheries Dominic LeBlanc. If the Clearwater agreement on surf clams
is acceptable to DFO, then surely, we can expect DFO to continue delivering on its reconciliation
agenda by honoring former Minister LeBLanc’s public statements regarding our access to redfish, and
we look forward to details in the near future.”

Brian Dicks, Corner Brook Ward Councilor and fisheries portfolio holder noted, “We will continue to
work with DFO, the Province and the industry to build our fisheries portfolio. We count the surf
clam announcement as a win for our sister nation, and when DFO delivers a significant allocation of
redfish to Qalipu when the quota is announced, we will see that as a win for us, a win for the
provincial fishing industry, and the fulfillment of a commitment made by a Federal Minister to our
Band.”

Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries Inc. manages all aspects of the Bands commercial fishing enterprises
throughout its 67 traditional Mi’kmaq communities and will continue to advocate for
access to this important traditional and cultural activity.

March 13, 2019 Corner Brook—The Qalipu Business Network will host its seventh annual business forum on Tuesday, March 26 in Stephenville.

The Forum will focus on culinary experience development and highlight offerings created by Experience Qalipu and its partners. The one-day event will include a blend of presentations from traditional knowledge keepers, local entrepreneurs and Indigenous chefs.

College of the North Atlantic (CNA) joins as a major event partner this year by offering its Bay St. George campus facilities and expertise. Students in the college’s Cook program will work alongside Master Chef Joseph Shawana and food foraging expert Lori McCarthy to engage delegates in an interactive culinary experience. An evening reception will see participants gather at Secret Cove Brewery in Port au Port for a meal featuring traditional Indigenous ingredients that is prepared by chefs.

Experience Qalipu’s Tara Saunders said, “We are thrilled to be partners in this year’s forum, and know that the delegates will walk away with a better understanding of how to create an authentic experience for their visitors. We have had so much interest in this culinary forum that we are confident it will become an annual event.”

“This significant event will combine two themes near and dear to everyone’s heart – food and culture,” said Wayne Quilty, CNA’s Director of Partnerships, Entrepreneurships and Community Engagement. “Our relationship with the Qalipu First Nation enables a blending of these themes into a culinary cultural event with a focus on indigenous heritage, culture and opportunities for the future, be it in the culinary trades, tourism or a combination of the two. We are also excited about the fact our students are gaining hands-on experience in a real-life situation. CNA is honoured to partner with the Qalipu First Nation on the development and delivery of this one-of-a-kind event, and we look forward to many more opportunities for the college and First Nations to partner on innovative community initiatives.”

The Business Forum is one of two events featuring culinary innovation and entrepreneurial skills planned for CNA’s Bay St. George campus. During the two days following the Forum, the Navigate Entrepreneurship Program – a joint venture between Grenfell Campus and CNA – will facilitate a two-day business start-up exercise Wednesday and Thursday, March 27-28.

Interested attendees can pre-register for the event by clicking here, or by calling Megan at (709) 634-5479.
Media contacts:

Alison White
Communications Officer
Qalipu First Nation
709-634-5163
awhite@qalipu.ca

Michelle Barry
Communications Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
Michelle.barry@cna.nl.ca