Archived Enrolment Information Popup
Please Check Here for Updates on the Qalipu Enrolment Process
Public Notices
The Enrolment Committee is reassessing the applications of people who were denied founding membership in the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation in 2017. The Enrolment Committee expects to be finished those reassessments in Winter 2020.
These applicants were sent information about the Wells Implementation in a letter dated January 31, 2019. They were offered an opportunity to submit additional documentation to meet the self-identification criterion.
Update for individuals affected by the implementation of the Wells decision in the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation enrollment process: the Enrollment Committee decision letters will be sent on July 13, 2020. For more information, visit: Canada.ca/qalipu-first-nation
If your address has recently changed, please update it by contacting the Government of Canada’s Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation line at 1-800-561-2266.
*Update March 27, 2017 – Deadline for applicants/members to file an appeal has been extended to April 13, 2017
“Although the ‘Instructions for Submitting and Appeal’ indicates that your Appeal Notice must be witnessed, all appeal notices completed by applicants eligible to appeal (witnessed or not witnessed) and submitted on or before April 13, 2017, will be considered by the Appeal Master.”
Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) Appealing on Behalf of Some Applicants, Notifications Arriving in the Mail *April 7, 2017
Important Notice: Eligibility to Appeal *March 15, 2017
Public Notice Changes to Appeal Deadline *Feb 20, 2017
Information on Criteria of Group Acceptance through Residency *Feb 14, 2017
Public Notice Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Enrolment Process Applicants Found Ineligible Based on Self-ID *Feb 10, 2017
Membership Search Service – Were You Already a Member of an Existing Band?
If you were a documented band member in one of Newfoundland’s Mi’kmaq bands prior to the signing of the Agreement in Principle (AIP) on June 23, 2008, then your name should be on the master list of band members that was compiled at that time. The Mi’kmaq bands of Newfoundland that were recognized for inclusion at the time of the AIP included the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI), Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance, Benoit First Nation and Sip’kop Mi’kmaq Band.
Click here for more information
End of Enrollment Support Team
At Qalipu First Nation, we are doing everything we can to offer support for our members and applicants. We have put in place an End of Enrolment Support Team including Enrolment Assistants that will be available to take your call or meet with you in one of our four office locations – St. George’s, Corner Brook, Glenwood and Grand Falls-Windsor.
To contact our End of Enrolment Support Team:
St. Georges: 709 647 3514
Glenwood: 855 263 6440 (toll free) or 709 679 2338
Grand Falls-Windsor: 709 489 2898
Corner Brook: 844 368 7160 (toll free) or 709 634 4010
*Toll Free (in Newfoundland only)
Are you looking for more information about Enrolment? Find it here:
End of Enrolment Q & A: Appeals Process
End of Enrolment Q & A: General Information
Are you interested in the history leading up to the creation of our First Nation, including where we are today? Click the link below for a summary:
Backgrounder
Road to Recognition of the Newfoundland Mi’kmaq-History
Would you like to review all the details of the Agreement and related documents? Find these documents here:
- Agreement for the Recognition of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band
- Amendment to the Agreement for the Recognition of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq Band in relation to Conne River
- Accelerated Process of Enrolment
- Exclusion of Sop’s Arm
How about the Supplemental Agreement?
What has Chief Mitchell been saying about the end of Enrolment? Click on the links below to hear from our Chief in news items posted by the Qalipu First Nation.
Message from the Chief – March 31 2017
Statement Regarding Ottawa Meeting
Qalipu First Nation Disappointed by Enrolment Outcome
Christmas Greetings from the Chief
Chief to Demonstrators: I have an obligation to act in the best interest of our First Nation
Video: Chief Mitchell talks Enrolment at Corner Brook Café
Council Meeting Report February 11 2017
Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) Appealing on Behalf of Some Applicants, Notifications Arriving in the Mail
In February 2017, Chief Brendan Mitchell announced that the FNI Board would exercise its rights under the Agreement in Principle to issue its own appeal where FNI lawyers identified potential grounds to do so. Based on advice received from the FNI lawyers, they were instructed to initiate those appeals and this process is now underway.
This week, approximately 3100 appellants have begun to receive notification of this process in the mail titled Appeal Notice of FNI. The letter indicates that “the FNI believes a mistake or error was made and that the documentation submitted with your application demonstrates that you do meet the requirements to become a Founding Member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation.”
For those who were unaware of this action of the FNI, there may understandably be some confusion. The Appeal Notice of FNI letter does not change the decision of the Enrolment Committee of which applicants and members were notified on January 31, 2017. It simply indicates that the FNI believes a mistake or error was made and is subsequently appealing that decision of the Enrolment Committee on the applicant’s behalf.
Steve May of Cox and Palmer, legal counsel for the FNI, explains the real meaning of these letters. He said, “under the Agreement, when a party issues an Appeal, the Applicant is to be notified. The reasons for this are to let them know of the appeal and to give them the opportunity to structure or revise their own appeals accordingly based on the grounds of the FNI appeal.”
Brendan Mitchell, Chief of the Qalipu First Nation, is hopeful that this legal action may lead to some positive outcomes on behalf of appellants. “However,” he states, “Those with a right of appeal should not rely solely on the appeal being made by the FNI. Please ensure that your appeal is sent, post marked no later than April 13, 2017.”
Chief Mitchell also clarified that the ability of the FNI to appeal decisions of the Enrolment Committee is part of the Agreement that created the First Nation and does not constitute legal counsel for the appellants named in its appeal.
New Q A about Qalipu Enrolment Appeals Process re Additional Grounds
Q: I already submitted my appeal notice, but I would like to submit another reason to support my appeal. Can I do this and what is the process?
A: Yes, you can submit another reason for appeal if you already submitted your appeal notice. To submit another reason for appeal, please note the following instructions:
Send a letter with your full name and file number at the very top of the first page and on every additional page. The letter must be sent to the following address by April 13, 2017:
Office of the Appeal Master
Box 9100
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 0M9
Ensure the first page contains the following heading: SUPPLEMENT TO PART 2 OF THE APPEAL NOTICE: REASONS FOR APPEAL
Your opening paragraph must say, “The following are my supplemental and/or additional reasons to appeal and are to be appended to my Appeal Notice dated [provide date].”
You can then proceed to outline your additional reasons to appeal.
*This Question and Answer is intended only for individuals who have already sent in their appeal notice and later thought of additional reasons that might support their appeal.
Click here for more questions and answers about the appeals process
Message from the Chief – March 31 2017
After nearly a decade from the time the Agreement to create our first nation was signed, the Qalipu enrolment process recently culminated in the mailout of 101,000 decision letters. By now members and applicants should have received a letter from the Enrolment Committee. I am aware that there are some people who are still waiting. Whether it is due to a changed address that didn’t get updated, or some other potential issue, I want you to know that Canada and the FNI are monitoring the situation. It should be noted that requests for copies of the decision letters are addressed within 48 hours, and ensuring that all applicants have received their decision letter is of utmost importance. This played an important part in the decision to extend the Appeal Notice submission deadline first from March 17 to the 31st, and recently to April 13, 2017.
The release of these letters on our communities, which included notification to some 10,500 current members that may potentially have their status revoked, has caused a great upset among our families and communities.
On February 13, I set out on a difficult journey to meet with members and applicants in communities across the province. In each of the communities along the tour, I heard similar frustrations, confusion and uncertainty. In Flat Bay, I witnessed the anger and frustration of three generations divided by status and non-status in one family; in St. George’s I met a veteran who was denied status due to residency, or his absence from the community while on multiple tours of duty; in Stephenville, a well-spoken woman from the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network brought forward the concerns of those who were lost in the confusion and paperwork of a long enrolment process. At every stop on the community tour—Port au Port, Burgeo, Corner Brook, Benoit’s Cove, Port Saunders, Grand Falls-Windsor, Gambo, Appleton and St. John’s—I heard stories of upset that I now carry with me on my shoulders and in my heart.
I can sincerely say that I have heard and felt the struggle of people in our communities. I know that our meetings were a good chance to talk to one another and I am truly greatful to have had the opportunity to meet so many of you during this difficult time. I want you to know that while I cannot solve all the issues that I have heard about, I am doing everything that I can to ensure the most positive outcome possible.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you all of our End of Enrolment Support Team which has been put in place at each of our office locations-St. George’s, Stephenville, Corner Brook, Glenwood and Grand Falls-Windsor. If you haven’t already reached out to a member of the team I encourage you to do so. Each has been trained to help you understand the meaning of your decision letter, the appeals process, and the enrolment process as it unfolded overall. We have also provided training for community members in Flat Bay, Burgeo, Port au Port, Port Saunders and Parsons Pond so that people in those areas may find the support they need.
Additionally, we recognize the strain that may be impacting our mental well-being and assistance is being made available to applicants in this regard.
My prayer is that we continue to find ways to work together to face the challenges that the enrolment issue presents.
Wela’lioq
Chief Brendan Mitchell
Keith Goulding New Band Manager at Qalipu First Nation
The Qalipu First Nation is pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Goulding to the position of Band Manager effective April 1, 2017. Reporting to Chief and Council, Goulding will be responsible for oversight and management of Band business and programs, including management of Qalipu staff at four office locations.
Randy Drover, the recently hired Band Manager, decided to move on to pursue another opportunity in his hometown in central Newfoundland. Randy tendered his resignation late last week and will work his final day with the Qalipu First Nation this Friday, March 31, 2017.
Brendan Mitchell, Chief of the Qalipu First Nation spoke highly of Drover and noted that during his short time at Qalipu, “he demonstrated a high degree of competence, effectiveness and professionalism. He has accomplished much in a short period of time on behalf of Qalipu First Nation and its members.” He wished Randy every success in his future endeavours.
He went on to say that he has a high level of confidence in Keith Goulding stepping into the position of Band Manager. He said, “Keith has strong leadership skills and has an extensive background in project management, community economic development, administration, finance, policy and strategic planning. He has been employed at Qalipu First Nation for the past six years and has senior management experience as Director of Work Force Qalipu.”
Prior to joining Qalipu, Keith served as Principal at Academy Canada in Corner Brook for six years. He has held key roles with the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade serving as Vice-President and President for two terms.
Keith holds a Bachelor of Arts (Mathematics) from Memorial University of Newfoundland and Masters Certificate in Project Management from the Schulich School of Business at York University. He is currently in the process of completing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of Fredericton.
Keith has been involved in the aboriginal movement for many years and continues to actively participate in Mi’kmaq culture. He is a former member of the Bay St. George Cultural Revival Committee and has volunteered extensively at the Flat Bay Pow Wow and other events locally.
Of his new post, Keith said, “Over the past six years I have been committed to this organization and to furthering the interests of our Nation. I look forward to continuing that work in a new and exciting role.”
Are You Interested in a Health Career
When:
August 13 – August 20, 207
Where:
Grenfell Campus, Corner Brook, NL
