CNA Invites Qalipu Members to Participate in Review of Post Secondary Education in the Province
Email from Bruce Hollett, President & CEO, College of the North Atlantic
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, through the Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour, is undertaking a review of post-secondary education in this province. Preliminary discussions with the administration of College of the North Atlantic have served as input towards a draft Terms of Reference on this initiative.
Now, as a first step in the college’s role in this process, we are seeking your input and that of your members on the draft Terms of Reference.
Please share this email with the Qalipu membership and also take some time to visit our website (see link below), review the draft Terms of Reference, and email us with your feedback and recommendations on these Terms. Your insights and views will help shape the Terms of Reference for the future of CNA and post-secondary education in the Province.
As this process moves forward, we will provide you with further opportunities for your thoughts and feedback on this initiative. Your input will be used to help inform the college’s official submission to the commission appointed to lead this process. As always, we look forward to hearing from you and working together for a brighter future for our province.
Post-Secondary Review Process:
Qalipu First Nation Band Election 2018
Qalipu First Nation Band Election 2018
October 24, 2018, Corner Brook—The Qalipu First Nation Band holds its election every three years to choose its governing body; a Chief, two Vice-Chiefs representing central and western Newfoundland, and nine Ward Councilors. Yesterday, thousands of members of the Band turned up at the polls to choose those leaders that will represent them for the next three years.
Brendan Mitchell was re-elected to lead the Nation as Chief. At the end of the night, Mitchell came out at almost double the votes received by his closest competitor, Hayward Young. Mitchell had received 2500 votes to Young’s 1290 votes. Clyde Russell, a third contender for Chief had a good showing at 867 votes.
In central Newfoundland, incumbent Joe Bouzanne was defeated by Randy Drover for the position of central Vice-Chief and in western Newfoundland, Keith Cormier went head to head with Andy Tobin for the position of western Vice-Chief, coming out on top at 1526-982 by the end of the counts. Edith Miller wasn’t far behind at 691 votes while Ron Jesseau, Blain Ford and Gary Greene who were also vying for the position had a good showing with several hundred votes a piece.
Incumbents Brian Dicks, Corner Brook Ward, Bern White, Benoit’s Cove Ward, Andy Barker, Exploits Ward and Jasen Benwah, Port au Port Ward were all successful in their bid to be re-elected for another term as Ward Councilor.
In St. George’s, newcomers Ivan J. White and Kenny Lee competed for the seat vacated by Arlene Blanchard White. Ivan J. White came out on top of that race 251-134. In Stephenville, for the seat vacated by former Ward Councilor Gerard Alexander, Odelle Pike came out on top in a race against former Councilor Joe White and newcomer Stefan Young. Odelle defeated nearest competitor Stefan Young at 354-305. White was not far behind at 238 votes.
In the Wards of Flat Bay, Gander Bay and Glenwood, the seats were won by acclamation. Of the three, Ivan White representing the Flat Bay Ward is new to the table while Frank Skeard of the Glenwood Ward and Calvin Francis of Gander Bay go on for their third consecutive term on the Qalipu Council.
Voter turn-out in this election was up from 2015 with a 25.3% voter turnout.
Keith Goulding, Band Manager, said that he was happy to see more members engaged but, that the Band can do better.
He said, “We are happy with another successful election, but we still hope to see more of our membership engaged in the process. With the amendment vote to change the way we administer elections, which passed last night with a 73% approval from membership who voted, we should see a more efficient, inclusive and effective election in 2021.”
Following a 30-day appeal period, per the Custom Rules governing Qalipu elections, the new Council will be sworn in and take office.
Click Here to view the 2018 Election End of Polls – Counts
Click Here to view the 2018 Election End of Polls – Council Elect
Clarification on Instructions for Returning Mail-in Ballot
It has come to our attention that some members are confused about the process for completing their mail-in ballot. Please see below for a copy of the instructions that were sent out, with additional information added in red. We hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other issues.
20.5 (1) On receipt of the mail in ballot, the Elector shall mark the ballot with a pen or pencil or any color within the space on the mail in ballot containing the name of the candidate for whom he or she intends to vote.
(2) After marking the mail in ballot, the Elector shall
(a) place the marked ballot in an envelope marked “BALLOT”;
(b) seal the envelope marked “BALLOT”;
(c) place the envelope marked “BALLOT” in an envelope marked “DECLARATION ENVELOPE” and containing the following words on the face of the envelope:
I, _________________________________________, hereby declare that this envelope contains a mail in ballot that I have marked.
____________________________________
Signed
(d) Complete all sections on face of envelope marked “DECLARATION ENVELOPE”. (print your name, sign your name, fill in your band registration number (the ten-digit number, starting with 034, found on your Secure Certificate of Indian Status) and your Ward)
(e) seal the envelope marked “DECLARATION ENVELOPE” and place it in the return envelope; and
(f) seal the envelope and mail or deliver it to the Electoral Officer.
20.6 All mail in ballots must be received by the Electoral Officer no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day preceding the day before the polling day or otherwise will not be counted. This means the Electoral Officer must have your ballot received by 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 21st, 2018.
20.7 Your mail-in ballot package includes the Amendment Vote question “Do you agree with the changes to the Custom Rules Governing Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Elections?” and you are asked to mark Yes or No. For more information on what this means, please visit our website (www.qalipu.ca). Under the tab marked “Election 2018” you will see “Amendment Vote” which contains a complete copy of the amended custom rules, and a summary and Q & A of what the changes mean.
The Deadline to Request Mail-in Ballots is Fast Approaching!
If you intend to vote by mail-in ballot in the upcoming election, request your ballot now!
The latest date by which you can request the ballot is October 9, and you must have your ballot mailed back and received by the Electoral Officer by 4:00 PM on October 21 in order to have your vote counted.
We have made it easier than ever to request your mail-in ballot. Simply click this link to access the application, complete all the required fields and then click send. Your mail-in ballot will then arrive in the mail at the address you have provided.
For more on the Qalipu Election 2018, including details on the Amendment Vote, Polling Locations and Candidates, please visit our website www.qalipu.ca and explore the menu item called “Election 2018”.
The Choice is Yours: Members asked to Vote Yes or No on Amendment Vote 2018
Amended Custom Rules Governing Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Elections Now Online
The amended Custom Rules Governing Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Elections are now available on our website. Members will be asked to vote Yes or No to accept these changes via Mail-in Ballots, at the polls October 23 and at the Advance Poll on October 16. Please click here to view the amended Custom Rules.
To view a summary of what this Amendment Vote means, please check out the Amendment Vote Q & A by clicking here.
Mi’kmaq Matters to Host Debate, Electoral Candidates for Chief of the Qalipu First Nation
Mi’kmaq Matters hosts a debate of the three candidates for chief of the Qalipu First Nation this Thursday (October 4) at 6 pm in the main floor lecture room of the College of the North Atlantic on O’Connell Drive in Corner Brook.
Brendan Mitchell, Clyde Russell and Hayward Young will take questions from Mi’kmaq Matters host Glenn Wheeler and from a live audience.
Media plug-ins will be available.
Glenn Wheeler can be reached at 647-280-7968.
Submitted by Richard Collier
Mi’kmaw veteran’s hunger strike to protest removal of his Indian status in its 4th week
“I’m extremely concerned about the situation for veterans and others who have lost their status. Particularly, I’m concerned about the health of veteran Richard Collier who is currently on day 26 of his hunger strike at his home in Pictou Landing, NS. This represents a serious situation both for Richard and other veterans who may be considering similar action in support of their cause.
On August 30 I met with Veterans Affairs Minister, Seamus O’Regan, together with three veterans and the provinces’ Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs. This meeting was extremely emotional and heartfelt with a commitment from the Minister to address this issue at the highest levels of government. However, to this day we still await a response from the Minister regarding our request to have veterans reinstated as members of Qalipu First Nation.
I call on all members of our communities to pray with me for Richard and his cause on behalf of veterans and all those that have lost status.”
-Chief Brendan Mitchell
Media:
CBC News, September 26, 2018
Mi’kmaw veteran’s hunger strike to protest removal of his Indian status in its 4th week
Notice: Please Sign up For Electronic Fund Transfer Before New Year
All Medical Transportation Reimbursements are being converted from paper cheques to Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) on January 1, 2019. All Band members are asked to get ready for this change, and avoid any delay in payment, by completing the following form: https://qalipu.ca/qalipu/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NIHB-Member-EFT-Form.pdf
Please return your completed form to the Band office:
By e-mail to: nlavers@qalipu.ca
OR
Mail to:
Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band
ATTN: NIHB Intake Clerk
3 Church St. Corner Brook, NL
A2H 2Z4
For more information about your Non-Insured Health Benefits, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook for information, tips and upcoming events.
Candidates for the Qalipu 2018 Election
| Qalipu First Nation Band Election 2018 | |
| Position | Candidates |
| Chief | Mitchell, Brendan Russell, Clyde Thomas Young, Hayward George |
| Vice-Chief (Western) | Cormier, Keith Ford, Blain Greene, Gary Jesseau, Ron Miller, Edith Tobin, Andrew (Andy) |
| Vice-Chief (Central) | Bouzanne, Joe Drover, Randolph (Randy) |
| Benoit’s Cove Ward Councilor | Greene, Darren White, Bernard |
| Corner Brook Ward Councilor | Dicks, Brian McDonald, Bob Soper, Jeff Sparkes, Geoffrey |
| Exploits Ward Councilor | Barker, Andrew (Andy) Bennett, Rod (Blackie) |
| Flat Bay Ward Councilor
ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION |
White, Ivan |
| Gander Bay Ward Councilor
ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION |
Francis, Calvin |
| Glenwood Ward Councilor
ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION |
Skeard, Francis (Frank) |
| Port au Port Ward Councilor | Alexander, Michael Gordon Benwah, Jasen |
| Stephenville Ward Councilor | Pike (nee Muise), Odelle Marie White, Gerald (Joe) Young, Stefan Brennan |
| St. George’s Ward Councilor | Lee, Kenneth White, Ivan |