Join the circle to meet and share with other Indigenous women, recharge and be inspired!
Wednesday November 25, 2020 at 7:30PM
Meeting ID:
815 3728 5912
Passcode:
768899
Committee in Place for Discussions with Marathon Gold
June 5, 2020, Corner Brook—In October 2019, Qalipu First Nation was approached by Marathon Gold, a gold resource development company focused on a gold reserve located in our territory in central Newfoundland. Representatives from the company expressed a desire to share plans and consult with our membership and were welcomed at several regular meetings of Council to share presentations and answer questions.
We aim to serve our members’ interests by ensuring that environmental stewardship is a top priority for Qalipu First Nation with respect to all major development projects in our province. Additionally, we wish to explore economic opportunities for our members and their communities. The Chief and Council have appointed a committee of Council and senior staff to have focused discussions with Marathon Gold on these topics.
It is our responsibility to be proactively involved in projects that impact our territory and people. We will continue dialogue with Marathon Gold on their Valentine Lake Project and share news of this with our membership as we move forward. We also encourage our members to be aware of the development project by participating in community engagement as it becomes available and staying up to date via the Marathon Gold News Releases and other information that can be found on their website and via the company’s social media channels.
Please click here for the latest news from Marathon Gold.
Virtual Artist Series
Qalipu First Nation is committed to supporting Mi’kmaq artists during this time when opportunities for events including exhibitions, music shows, and workshops have essentially disappeared. We’re pleased to announce that our Experience Qalipu division will support Mi’kmaq artists and craftspeople through a Virtual Artist Series that will promote four local creators. Throughout the months of June and July, we will be sharing videos highlighting the work of Marcus Gosse, Marcella Williams, Cole Stagg, and Tyrone Mulrooney.
Tara Saunders, Director of Community Development, explains the project as “an outlet for Mi’kmaq artists to be celebrated while also passing on their traditional skills and teaching others”.
The first video will be Petroglyph drawing with Stephenville artist, Marcus Gosse. This video will be shared on the Qalipu First Nation Facebook Page on Wednesday, June 10th, at 7: 30PM.
Watch for more details coming soon!
Experience Qalipu is a division of Qalipu First Nation that focuses on Indigenous tourism, art, and craft. These industries are all interconnected and contribute to the preservation of traditional skills and Indigenous knowledge.
Virtual Workshops: Registration is now Open!
Experience Qalipu is pleased to offer craft workshops to make dreamcatchers, sealskin mitts, sealskin broaches and beaded keychains.
Registration closes on Friday, June 5th. If there is high interest for these workshops, there will be a random draw for participants on Monday, June 8th.
Participants can only attend one workshop. If you have been selected to participate in one of the workshops, you will be notified on June 8th. All materials will be mailed or delivered to participants and the workshops will take place over Zoom.
*Internet access is required for these workshops*
Please click here for the registration link
Community Leaders: Salome Barker
For Salome Barker from Grand Falls – Windsor being a Mi’Kmaq person is her entire identity, “I live my everyday life as a Mi’kmaq person, it is so entrenched into who I am that I cannot pinpoint something exactly, she says. For Salome, a big part of being a Mi’kmaq person means she must help lift up others and create a safe environment for them to be themselves and explore who they are.
Making strong relationships with other Mi’kmaw people across Ktaqkuk to build on and learn from one another is something Salome feels strongly about. This is why you will most likely find Salome at almost any gathering or get together held by Qalipu in her ward. Salome is an active community leader and she is currently working on a 9-month fellowship called ‘Who We Are’. This is a project that she developed it is aimed at revitalizing Mi’kmaw culture among youth and is based in central Newfoundland. She leads conversations with youth focusing on their experiences of growing up as a Mi’kmaq person in Ktaqmkuk, what changes they would like to see within their community, schools, and their everyday life when it comes to their Indigeneity.
This falls in line with Salome’s own vision for what she would like to see for the future of Qalipu, she says “I would like for the vision of Qalipu to have a focus on Indigenous youth and helping them to achieve their dreams and inspiring them to do community work within their own communities and assisting them in whatever capacity that is. Where that is through funding, training, giving them the proper teachings, the future of Qalipu is at this point in the hands of the youth. However, for youth to take charge of projects they must feel supported and encouraged [by] the leaders within their communities.”
Salome herself tries to live her life by being honest with others, respecting the land, all her elders, and everyone she encounters. She tries to live her life with humility and always being conscious of her actions and words. She has taken the lead in making new connections and being more vulnerable which she says has helped her tremendously with staying connected to her culture. “I have learned so much from other community members and Elders that I will hold onto forever. As well, taking the time to be connected to the land is vital for [me]. Learning about where my ancestors came from and how they lived in Ktaqmkuk always keeps me grounded and secure in who I am. The land is healing and has so much to offer us as Mi’kmaq people, that I really try to not take it for granted” she said.
This has encouraged Salome to organize cultural workshops led by Elders and Mi’kmaq leaders across Newfoundland for the youth in her community where they can explore their own culture and learn more about who they are.
Thank you for your commitment to the community, Salome. Keep up the good work!
Community Leaders – Elaine Ingram
Elaine Ingram is more than an active community volunteer in Burgeo. Elaine is one of those super doers – building community in a dozen different ways. Local Chief of the Burgeo Band of Indians, Greg Janes, reached out to share his appreciation and praise for this community leader.
“Elaine has been steadfast in our band and our community. We are all proud of her for her dedication and commitment.”
Janes added that as Secretary and Treasurer for the band, Elaine not only manages the finances and keeps the records, but also supports all activities including developing and delivering cultural programs; as a talented crafter, she is able to delivers workshops to share her skills with others.
Janes said, “There’s nothing she can’t make. Everything from sealskin mitts, moccasins, beading. She even made her own sealskin jacket,”
Elaine admits that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes in preparing for these workshops but says she is motivated by her belief that it is a privilege to help others, and it is a very rewarding endeavour.
“Sharing my knowledge gives that person so much joy and the reward to me comes in a form of knowing I made an impact on their lives,” she said.
Eileen also leads a women’s group, looks out for the elderly, is engaged in learning the Mi’kmaw language, and is a mother, wife, and full-time home care worker.
“She has been the glue that keeps us running,” Janes said, “the Burgeo Band of Indians is very fortunate to have such a strong woman who has served her community with devotion.”
Gratitude is an important part of walking a good path like Eileen’s, and she is sure to give a shout out to people who support her.
“I’m starting to get help from my niece and that has taken a lot of stress off. I also want to thank Joe Warren for being there when I doubt myself.”
Keep up the great work, Elaine!
Message From the Chief – May 15 2020
Kwe’
I want to make you all aware that Qalipu First Nation has received financial support through the COVID-19 support fund for Indigenous Communities and to ask for your feedback.
Please join our Facebook Watch Party this coming Thursday, May 21st., at 7:30 PM when I’ll chat with Band Manager Keith Goulding. Together, we’ll explain the fund and ask our members for input on how we allocate this support to our communities in the best way possible.
You can participate in a live discussion at that time, and we encourage you to send your feedback to communications@qalipu.ca
I pray that you all are doing well and staying safe.
Wela’lin
Chief Brendan Mitchell
Important Update regarding Expiry of SCIS Cards during Pandemic
Please be advised, outdated Status Cards and temporary confirmation of registration documents will be accepted during the pandemic with a second piece of ID. Please see the attached for more information.
Nancy O’Connell, Indian Registration Administrator for the Band, notes, “All SCIS cards have a renew by date. With the majority of the children’s cards due to be renewed this year, this is important information for parents who may be concerned. I would also like to point that it is only the card that needs to be renewed; registration numbers do not expire. Our offices are currently closed as we navigate our way through these uncertain times of Covid-19, but please know I am available through email to help you in anyway that I can. You can reach me at noconnell@qalipu.ca”
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Community Groups from Across Newfoundland to Share in Virtual National Indigenous Peoples Day
May 12, 2020 Corner Brook—The Qalipu First Nation is pleased to share that together with community groups from across the territory, it will host a full day of virtual content to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Throughout communities, June 21 celebrations have been a day of social gathering; from sunrise to sundown people have come together to share in the special day. This year, social gatherings are restricted, but the celebration will carry on.
Tara Saunders, Acting Director for the Community Development, noted that about a dozen groups are working together to bring something special to people who will be missing out on this important social gathering this year.
Saunders said, “We have Indigenous women’s groups from St. John’s to St. George’s, local Indian Bands from Exploits, Bay of Islands, the North Shore and Bay St. George, the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre and individuals as well, all coming together to plan a special day for our communities. Everyone involved is planning on developing and sharing their video content that will include storytelling, music, teachings and sharing of all kinds. We’re excited about this opportunity to work together and create a memorable Indigenous Peoples Day despite the pandemic restrictions currently in place.”
The Band will develop some content, provide video development support to community groups as needed, and will also take on the role of organizing content so that videos are streaming throughout the day, both on the Bands Facebook Page and the pages of other groups, without any overlap.
Nicole Travers, Cultural Resource Coordinator for the Band and liaison with the Cultural Foundation, notes that she has cast her net wide trying to reach everyone and ensure that the day is inclusive of all those who would like to be involved.
“There are a lot of people at the table. We have met a couple of times now and we are hopeful that more of our community leaders and knowledge carriers will come together to make this day truly memorable. Not just for the content we create, but also the beauty of working together for all our relations. I think is something truly unique and special this year.”
To join in the shared celebration, individuals and community groups are encouraged to contact Nicole at ntravers@qalipu.ca
Jordan Pottle pictured with her three-year-old daughter Nora
Community Leaders : Jordan Pottle
Jordan Pottle is a young Mi’kmaq woman from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. She is a member of Qalipu First Nation and she believes having a connection to both home and culture is a big part of what it means to be Mi’kmaw. For Jordan, it is especially important to not only continue her journey of Mi’kmaq knowledge for herself but also to pass her knowledge down to her 3-year-old daughter Nora.
Jordan is always learning from others in her community and elders who have been immersed in culture longer than she has. She also enjoys sharing culture with her community and has taken it upon herself to bring many cultural events to her hometown of Gander.
Dedicated and selfless are words one might use to describe Jordan as she does so much for her community and not for any recognition but rather for the joy it brings her to share her Mi’kmaw culture. Jordan established Little Feathers Parents and Tots Group which focused on bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous families with young children to gather and learn about each other during talking circles. Little Feathers Creations is another group created by Jordan where she created beaded jewelry and ornaments with inspiration from her Mi’kmaq culture. The Moose Hide Project was also brought to Gander thanks to Jordan’s efforts and she has been involved in several events and workshops in collaboration with the Gander Women’s Center and Red Dress Project. Kikmanaq Indigenous Cultural Revival Association is another one of Jordan’s creations that has given her community the opportunity to attend beading workshops and a family cultural day.
As a busy working mom, Jordan tries to be as involved in her community as much as possible and she is passionate about bringing people together and providing them with an opportunity to learn about her culture. Giving back and creating new opportunities is second nature to Jordan and it is her belief that everyone regardless of status should have an opportunity to learn about culture.
Jordan learns about her Mi’kmaw culture by surrounding herself with likeminded people at events she has hosted, programs she has established in her community, and workshops she has had the opportunity to attend. Jordan’s vision for the future of Qalipu includes cultural liaisons in more communities throughout Qalipu territory. “Our band is filled with amazing people with so much knowledge and so many talents. I would love to see us all learn from each other,” said Jordan.