Breaking news

Qalipu Becomes Member of the Assembly of First Nations

July 26, 2018

Today in Vancouver at the 39th Annual General Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations, the Qalipu First Nation was accepted as a member of this national group that represents some 900,000 First Nation citizens in Canada. Chief Mi’sel Joe of the Miawpukek First Nation brought forward the resolution to accept Qalipu into the Assembly, seconded by Miawpukek Councilor Corey John who voted under the Glenwood proxy.

In an email to the Qalipu Council following this significant moment, Chief Mitchell wrote “I am pleased to inform you that Qalipu First Nation was accepted into the Assembly of First Nations just a few moments ago. This is a significant and important move for us as we now take our rightful place with other First Nations in Canada. I have to acknowledge the incredible support provided by Chief Joe, Shayne MacDonald, Corey John and Regional Chief Morley Googoo. I want to add that we had full support from National Chief Perry Bellegarde and the Atlantic Provincial Chiefs. I am also thankful for the decades of support that we received from the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the national body who advocates for the rights and recognition of Indigenous groups across Canada.”

Chief Mitchell added that reconciliation can take many forms. He said, “For the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland, today’s acceptance and acknowledgement are significant means of reconciliation for all.”

Chief Mi’sel Joe was pleased to see his resolution move forward and has positive plans for the future of the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland. He said, “I am quite pleased that Qalipu is now a voting member of the Assembly of First Nations. This is very appropriate and long overdue. Now, with four First Nation members of the AFN located on the island portion of Newfoundland which includes Miawpukek, Qalipu, Flat Bay and Glenwood, we feel that we have a strong case to convince the AFN that a regional Vice Chief position is warranted for Newfoundland. The next challenge and task is to have the AFN agree to a Newfoundland Regional Vice Chief position and we will be bringing a resolution to that effect to the AFN Special Chief’s Assembly in December of 2018.”

This move for the Qalipu First Nation will allow the Band to become a part of the wider First Nation community in Canada, sharing ideas and learning from the experiences of other First Nations. Qalipu will have a strong national voice and will be part of shaping future education, lands and economic development programs and services. Qalipu will continue to work toward supports and services for its membership, now with the support of other First Nations in Canada. We share the vision of AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde in his efforts to create a better tomorrow for First Nation peoples and communities throughout Canada.

Media:
Alison White
Communications Officer
Qalipu First Nation
tel. 634-5162, mobile 649-7194
awhite@qalipu.ca

Cropped view of woman holding pen and filling out application form at table with focus on hand with pen

Electronic Funds Transfer Faster, Safer than Sending Cheques in the Mail

The Medical Transportation Benefit is an element of the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB), a health plan which all members of Qalipu, and other First Nations and Inuit in Canada, are eligible to receive.  The benefit provides financial compensation, based on rates set by Health Canada, for the cost of travel, meals, and accommodations for members with a health condition requiring travel to locations outside their communities to receive necessary medical services.

Qalipu First Nation provides the support, pre-approvals, processing and payment for all Medical Transportation Benefits of members of the Band who are living in Atlantic Canada and travelling within Canada for medical reasons.

Mitch Blanchard, Manager of the Health Services Divison says that many members still have not signed up for Electronic Funds Transfer but, they should.

“Processing cheques takes time, Blanchard said, “we’re talking about clients waiting an additional week or more when they could already have access to their money if we had the information we needed to put it right into their bank accounts.”

Blanchard also noted that clients who have not signed up for EFT also run the risk of having cheques lost or stolen in the mail or delivered to the wrong address.

“I encourage all members to sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer now,” Blanchard said.  “Our team will be more than happy to assist clients with setting it up.”

Members are reminded that while they may have provided EFT information to Health Canada, they will need to provide this information to Qalipu in order to receive payment on Medical Transportation Benefit claims.

Please click here to access the form to sign up for EFT.

For more information about your Non-Insured Health Benefits, please visit our website and follow us on Facebook for information, tips and upcoming events.

Network

Contribute Your Voice to the Eastern Health Diversity Project

Eastern Health is conducting The Eastern Health Diversity Project: Examining needs and establishing priorities.  How well do you think that Eastern Health is doing with diversity? Is it being respected? Discriminated against? Welcomed?

Here’s how to share your perspective:

  • Fill out the anonymous survey by clicking here
  • Sign up for a 1-hour confidential chat with Fern Brunger & Adriana Pack to share your experience and give advice
  • Bring along one or two friends or family members from y our community to join in the discussion.
  • Interpretation provided by us in Inuktituk; for Innu Aimun your own interpreter will be paid for by the team.
  • Receive a thank you gift of $25

Contact: Adriana Pack at: asp566@mun.ca or Fern Brunger at: fbrunger@mun.ca

For more details, please visit the teams Facebook page

family day fun

Family Day Fun

On Saturday, July 7, the Qalipu First Nation partnered with the Norpen Aboriginal Women’s Circle to share Mi’kmaq culture at Parks Canada’s Family Day in Shallow Bay.

Tourism Development Officer Tara Saunders said that taking the opportunity to celebrate culture with others, and make positive connections, is very valuable to the Band.

She said, “The Band set up a wigwam, provided the kits for a drum making demonstration, and assisted in a rattle making craft with the children.  Hundreds of children were given the opportunity to learn about drum making and make their own rattles.  Norpen, as always, was an excellent partner.  They led a drumming circle and shared songs throughout the day.  We are always thankful for opportunities like these to get outside and make positive connections.”

Qalipu has been involved in several initiatives with their partner, Parks Canada, including development and delivery of the Taste of the Great Outdoors program, interpretation training for Qalipu member businesses, and knowledge sharing in tourism development.  The Band is also exploring ways of working with the Eastern Field Unit on future initiatives.

On July 21st Qalipu, Norpen and Parks Canada will work together to deliver the Learn to Camp program at Port aux Choix National Historic Site.  The site has seen continual habitation for over 5000 years and has been home to several distinct indigenous populations including today’s Mi’kmaq.  Tara noted that elements of Mi’kmaq culture will be brought into the program including a sunrise ceremony and craft making.  She also noted that registration for this program has been very successful.

“All spots have now been filled! We can’t wait to meet with families and help provide a fun camping experience at this special location.”

For more information, please contact Tara at tsaunders@qalipu.ca

High School Trades Camp Poster (003)

Trade Fair Camp for Grades 10-12

From August 6-10, 2018, the Qalipu First Nation and Miawpukek First Nation are partnering with the Operating Engineering College, UA Local 740 Training Center, Bricklayers College, Iron Workers Training Center and the Carpenter Millwright College. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in a week-long camp in St. John’s that will expose them to a variety of industry driven trades such as Heavy Equipment, plumbing/pipefitting, bricklayers, ironworkers, carpentry, and millwright. The camp is for students attending Grades 10-12 in the Fall of 2018. For youth who attend the Camp, transportation, accommodations and meals will be provided.

Qalipu First Nations and the various partners are inviting interested Indigenous youth from all wards to submit application forms by Wednesday, July 18, 2018.

Applications to be submitted to and for additional detals:

Yvonne MacDonald, Administrative Assistant
Qalipu First Nation
183 Main Street, P.O. Box 460
St. George’s, NL
A0N 1Z0
Email: ymacdonald@qalipu.ca
Phone: (709) 647-3514
Fax: (709) 647-3068

Prospector

Mineral Prospecting Career Awareness Workshops

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has a rich history of mining and mineral exploration. What most people
do not realize is that historically, prospectors have been the first boots on the ground and have actually discovered
most mineral deposits. The Newfoundland and Labrador Prospectors Association in partnership with the College of
the North Atlantic is offering a series of one – day Career Awareness Workshops on Mineral Prospecting. Funding for
these workshops is provided by the Government of NL’s Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour.
Do you like working in the outdoors? Do you enjoy camping and hiking? Have you ever wanted to find a gold nugget,
or a gold mine? This one –day workshop will introduce you to the world of mineral prospecting, as a career choice.
High school students in Levels 1, 2 and 3, along with other adults are eligible to register and take part in the workshop
in their region.

Topics include:
• Introduction to Prospecting • Job of a Prospector • Self Employment
• Option Agreements • Working with Mineral Exploration Companies
• Other Resources and Supports • Further Education Opportunities!

Upcoming Dates & Locations

Workshops will be offered at College of the North Atlantic’s campuses at the following locations from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

St. Anthony, July 7, 2018
Baie Verte, July 14, 2018
Labrador City, Fall 2018
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Fall 2018

Registration cost is $20.00, payable at the start of the workshop. This fee will provide participants with a one-year
membership in the NL Prospectors Association.
Pre-registration is required 5 days in advance of the workshop.
For further information, or to register for the workshop, please contact:

Darrin Fitzpatrick
College of the North Atlantic
Tel: 709 744 6845
darrin.fitzpatrick@cna.nl.ca
Norm Mercer
NL Prospectors Association
Tel: 709 740 6000 or 709 364 7029
normmercer@gmail.com
Language Camp Schedule

CENTRAL NL MI’KMAW LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CAMP

Registration Deadline August 31, 2018

Facilitated by Dr. Bernie Francis and Mr. Curtis Michaels
The whole family is welcome, and encouraged, to learn the basics of our precious Mi’kmaq language.
Participants must pre-register and attend all course days. Cost of the camp is FREE

Camp Dates 2018
October 11th to 15th
6:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M. (Thurs. & Fri.) * snack provided; pre-registrants only
9:30 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. (Sat. & Sun.) * lunch, snack and supper provided; pre-registrants only
7:30 P.M.-9:30 P.M. (Sat. & Sun.) *evenings of teachings, music and conversation; open to the general public
9:30 A.M – 3:30 P.M. (Mon.) * lunch, snack, and course certificate; pre-registrants only

Creative Culture Symposium

Creative Culture Symposium

Shining the light on French and Mi’kmaq Craftspeople

Are you a French or Mi’kmaq craftsperson?

If so, this symposium is for you!

This day will include craft demonstrations, networking opportunities & cultural presentations

9:00AM-1:00PM Experimental Learning: helping participants to develop their craft
  How to price your product

How to offer classes to visitors to make their own keepsake
Lunch provided for participants

1:00PM-4:00PM Doors open to public
  Demonstrations from craft participants

Traditional music and dance from Mi’kmaq and French performers


Saturday August 11, 2018, 9:00AM- 4:00PM

Located at the French Centre in Cape St. George

Registration Deadline: July 23, 2018. To register, contact Wendy at 642-5155 or by email ouest@rdeetnl.ca  or Tara at 634-5972 or by email tsaunders@qalipu.ca

Junior Police Academy

Junior Police Academy Summer Camp Open to all Wards, Register Now!

From August 7-10, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and Qalipu First Nation are partnering to host the Junior Police Academy at Killdevil Camp.  This camp is designed to create stronger relationships with youth (ages 9-12 years old) and police as well as with other community partners.

Participants will have an opportunity to take part in this fun filled and educational camping experience, where the RNC and partner organizations will foster stronger and healthier relationships between the participants and the police by breaking down historical barriers.  The Junior Police Academy will enhance participant learning on a variety of topics by providing a healthy, active and unplugged environment where they will be educated on the benefits of healthy, responsible decision making. Youth at the camp will receive education on a variety of topics including (but not limited to) healthy eating, decision making and lifestyle choices, bicycle safety, fire safety, environmental sustainability and Mi’kmaq culture as well as police investigative techniques.

For youth who attend the camp, transportation will be provided from Corner Brook to Killdevil and return (transportation to Corner Brook is the participants responsibility).  While at the camp, all accommodations and meals will be provided. Participants will be asked to bring their own sleeping bag, or bedding, and their own clothing.

Qalipu First Nation and The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary are inviting interested youth members from all Wards to submit application forms by July 20, 2018 to:

Megan Newman
Administrative Assistant | Community Development
3 Church Street
Corner Brook, NL
A2H 2Z4
Email mnewman@qalipu.ca
Fax: 709-634-3997

Click here for the Camper Application Form and Waiver

Click here for the Volunteer Application Form

For additional details please contact Megan Newman at the email above or call (709) 634-5479