The consolidated financial statements linked below represent all the Band activity during the last fiscal year including the Qalipu Development Corporation, Mi’kmaq Commercial Fisheries, Qalipu Project Support Services, Qalipu Marine Holdings and Qalipu Management Services. These statements will be presented in detail at the upcoming Annual General Assembly in St. George’s on September 15. Our auditor and comptroller will be on hand to present the statements and answer questions at that time.

Please click here to view the Audited Financial Statements for the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year

On July 26, the Qalipu First Nation partnered with Sacred Heart Church and the Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Association (CBAWA) to celebrate St. Anne’s Day. St. Anne, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus, is the patron Saint of the Mi’kmaq people.

The Eucharistic Celebration was presided by Father Jim Robertson, with the CBAWA providing a smudging and sharing songs. Following the service, the parishioners were invited to a feast provided by the Qalipu First Nation at St. Mary’s Anglican Church Hall where Father Leonard blessed the meal.

On June 20^th, Qalipu First Nation and the Norpen Aboriginal Women’s Circle joined Parks Canada to provide a historically and culturally rich Learn-to Camp experience at Port au Choix’s Historic Site. Here, families gathered on grounds steeped in 6000 years of history, to share in a camping experience anchored in the same barren land and rugged coastline, sculpted by the wild and bountiful ocean, that has called people to this space from time immemorial.

As a family of caribou grazed in the distance, people of all ages found themselves immersed in the richness of nature and togetherness, sharing in art, storytelling, food, songs and ceremony. With the setting of the sun, campers gathered in a circle to celebrate new experiences, new friends, and shared moments in this magical place and the sounds of an incredible Learn-to Camp experience could be heard in the singing and drumming carried by the wind.

Parks Canada’s Lean-to Camp program is a nation-wide initiative to provide opportunity for Canadians to engage in a camping experience that connects them to natural and cultural heritage.  This has been the first Indigenous focused Learn-to Camp event in the province.

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 21^st 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

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