Qalipu elections are governed by a legal document called the Custom Rules Governing Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Elections.  This guiding document was developed in 2011 when the Qalipu Band was recognized as an Indian Act Band.  The Custom Rules is now a codified legal document that was ratified by the people through majority vote.  For more on how our election works via the Custom Rules, please visit our website.

Following the election in 2015, Qalipu   realized several issues that need to be resolved to make our elections more effective in the future.   For instance, some voters reported arriving at their polling station to find that they had been incorrectly listed in a different voting location.  Others found that the distance they had to travel to their designated poll was unreasonable, and many people thought the time frame on returning mail-in ballots was too short.  The 2015 election also saw a low voter turnout (approximately 25%) and this is something else that can be improved upon.

An Election Reform Committee made up of three Councilors, three staff members and one deputy returning officer from the last election, was brought together to begin addressing these issues, and to explore election improvements, including changes to the Custom Rules.  It is important to note that any change to the Custom Rules requires ratification (approval by vote) from the membership.  For instance, to change voting procedure to include the option for online voting, or to make the election    entirely mail-in (no polls), a ratification vote would need to take place.  The ideal time to present changes like this for voting by membership is during the next election.

The Election Reform Committee has proposed changes to the Custom Rules, and voters can expect to hear more on those changes which will be presented to them for approval during the next election.  Membership will also be asked for their input via a survey that will be placed on our website, and sent out to the Elders Mailout list.  Hard copies of the survey will also be made available at our office locations and at Ward meetings.  The intent of the survey will be to determine membership preference on how they would like to vote; online only, mail-in only, a combination of both, or maintain the current way of voting, for instance.

Can our elections be improved before the membership votes on it?

Yes.  While major changes to the Custom Rules require ratification votes, there are efficiencies that the Committee has found that fit within the parameters of the current rules and, by implementing them, some of the issues experienced during the last election will be resolved.  For instance, the timeline of the entire election will be drawn out.  By starting the process earlier, all elements of the Election will be less rushed.  This will include making mail-in ballot applications available sooner and giving voters more time to get them in.

The Committee will also communicate often, well in advance of the Election itself, to ensure that voters are engaged and aware of the process.

As a voter, you can help make the Election run more smoothly as well.

By logging into your ginu membership profile, you can confirm that you are listed in the correct Electoral Ward.  The Ward listed under “Electoral Ward” under the Mailing Address tab determines where you will be eligible to vote.  Other information that you should verify includes: ensure a valid email address is listed for you (most of our communications, both during elections and throughout the year, come through email); and, ensure your current mailing address and phone number are listed.

Why not take a look to ensure that the information on your profile is accurate? If you need help logging in to ginu, please call Charmaine Bath at 1-855-263-6440.

Questions or comments? Please email the committee through the Communications Officer at awhite@qalipu.ca

Qalipu First Nation will be conducting interviews in Corner Brook from November 20th to January 8th. The purpose of these interviews is to gather information from Qalipu members about their experiences on the land. Topics will include hunting, fishing, gathering, farming and camping.

To participate in an interview, individuals must be Qalipu Band members and at least 18 years of age.

If you would like to participate in this study, please contact Sara Leah Hindy, project coordinator, at shindy@qalipu.ca or call (709) 634-9653.

Dates:
November 20th – January 8th

Location:
Qalipu First Nation 3 Church Street Corner Brook, NL

Office Hours:
Interviews are conducted during office hours
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The next regular meeting of Council will be held on Nov 18, 9:00 am  in Corner Brook at the Qalipu Community Room.  To register please contact Mabel MacDonald at 634-5111 or email mmacdonald@qalipu.ca

The  general public is cordially invited to attend a Talking Circle on  “The State of the Waters and Pollution Concerns in the Port au Port – Bay St. George Region.” The event will  be held at the Port au Port East Town Hall starting 7 pm on Sunday, November 12th, 2017.

A Talking Circle is a traditional way used by first nations to solve problems and is very effective in removing barriers and allowing  people to freely express themselves.  It provides a means for people to connect and search for new directions,  make amends, right the wrongs and establish new pathways for tomorrow.

As Indigenous peoples, First Nations recognize the sacredness of water, the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of protecting water from pollution, drought and waste.

This Circle will be facilitated by Mi’kmaq cultural leaders and is supported by Qalipu First Nation, traditional Mi’kmaq people and the Port au Port Bay Fishery Committee.

A special invitation to attend and participate in this event is extended to the general public and municipal, provincial and federal government representatives.

For further information please contact:

Bill O’Gorman
Chair of the Port au Port Bay Fishery Committee
Phone:  709 642 5715, Cell 709 649 2174, Email: billogorman1948@outlook.com

Alison White
Communications Officer, Qalipu First Nation
Phone: 709 634 5163, Email: awhite@qalipu.dca

Kenny Bennett
Mi’kmaq Cultural Leader
Phone: 709 214 1102, Email: kwb1@eastlink.ca

The Qalipu Cultural Foundation is seeking a local snow shoe maker(s) to deliver workshops in Central Newfoundland this fall/winter.  Sessions will ideally be delivered in one, 2-hour class, per week.  All required materials will be provided, and the teacher will receive a per diem for their time.  Up to 16 participants will register for the class, free of charge.

Experience teaching, sharing and crafting snow shoes, as well as knowledge of the cultural history of snow shoe making and use, is preferred.  Style of snow shoe to be determined by crafters skill set.

If you, or someone you know, is interested in delivering a 4-8-week long snowshoe making workshop in the Gander and Badger area, please contact Mitch Blanchard at mblanchard@qalipu.ca

The Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network is starting a new project.

Building Understanding; Strengthening Lives is a three (3) year project funded by Status of Women Canada.   Our goal is to give the mainstream justice system, front line workers and support systems on the island the ability to enhance their knowledge of cultural differences and how to help Indigenous women and youth feel supported and protected when they need to report family violence or assistance in family violence situations.

The project will recruit a 10-member working committee through information sessions, distribution of pamphlets, letters and advertisements.  Our 10-member working committee will consist of members from NAWN, Elders and the Indigenous community of Bay St. George to ensure their voices are heard.  The mainstream justice supports, front line service agencies and, community service program workers will also be members of the working committee, this will give all involved the opportunity to share what their agencies do and how to access them.

The working committee will prioritize the real issues indigenous women and youth experience within the mainstream justice system that will be gathered from the 6 focus groups, the on-line and paper surveys anonymously completed from across the province.  We will be mindful of previous trauma and experiences and will seek support from our local Elders through traditional ways and local agencies to ensure those involved feel safe and secure.

The working committee will develop and implement the project that will provide the mainstream justice system workers, first line workers and community service providers with relevant, inclusive and culturally relevant information and protocols that will improve communication with Indigenous women and youth that report family violence and that are going through the justice system due to family violence.

For more information, please contact Nona Matthews at the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network at (709) 643-1290 or email nona.nawn@gmail.com

The People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Center is currently looking for volunteers to work with seniors in and around our communities for the Helping Hands Program!
They are seeking volunteers to help seniors with things such as: Shovelling snow (once the snow falls), duties around the house, or just come in to the seniors home to spend some time with them, play cards, etc.

The Friendship Centre is also looking for seniors who would be interested in having a volunteer come in to their home and help, or simply spend time with them.

The Centre also hopes to have something at either the Stephenville office or the St. George’s center where seniors can come in, play cards, chat, have some coffee, and volunteers can assist with anything they may need/want there.

Volunteers are required to have a criminal conduct check completed, however, the center will cover the cost of this application for the approved volunteers.

Please click here for the volunteer application form.

For more information, please contact the People of the Dawn Friendship Centre at 709-643-3902 or email helpinghandsprogram@gmail.com