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RNC JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY 2019 OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH & VOLUNTEERS

From August 6-9 2019, The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and Qalipu Cultural Foundation are partnering to host the Junior Police Academy at Killdevil Camp.   This camp is designed to create stronger relationships with youth (ages 10-12 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, police investigative techniques and Mi’kmaq cultural awareness.

For youth who attend the camp, transportation will be provided from Corner Brook to Killdevil and return (transportation to and from Corner Brook is the participants responsibility). Transportation can be arranged for pickup and drop off in Deer Lake for those youth and volunteers that are east of Deer Lake (transportation to and from Deer Lake 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.

To facilitate this event, we are currently seeking volunteer chaperons. Volunteers will be responsible for general supervision of youth during the camp. All accommodations and meals will be provided to volunteers while at the camp. Volunteers will be asked to bring their own sleeping bag or bedding and their own clothing.

If you are interested in being a volunteer or are seeking additional information, please contact Nicole Travers.

Youth participant click here for the RNC Junior Police Academy 2019 application

Volunteer Chaperons click here for Volunteer Application

Deadline to apply is July 15, 2019

All participant and volunteer application forms can be submitted to Mitch Blanchard, Resource Coordinator at 3 Church Street Corner Brook, NL or faxed to: 709-639-4706 or via email ntravers@qalipu.ca

Sponsored by:
United Way Newfoundland and Labrador
Communities Foundation of Canada – Canada 150

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Eye and Vision Care Benefit

Upcoming Changes to NIHB Eyewear Coverage

Did you know that you may be eligible for NIHB coverage for corrective eyewear (glasses and contact lenses)?  NIHB has made changes to the program. You will now have more choices/coverage with the purchase of any type of prescription eyewear.  These rates will be in effect for eyewear ordered on or after June 29, 2019:

Standard Coverage Amount $275 For prescriptions that are less than ±7.0 (minimum prescription strength will continue to apply). This is the most common rate.
High Index Coverage Amount $415 For prescriptions that are ±7.00 or higher.

 

How often is prescription eyewear covered?

  • How often you are covered for eyewear will not change.
    • Children 0-17 years are eligible once a year;
    • individuals 18 years and older are eligible once every two years;
  • individuals whose prescription changes a lot may be eligible for early replacement of the lenses. However, frequency periods will be changed to a calendar year basis.
  • no change to the policy on exceptions.

Individual in the Atlantic region can contact their regional office for information on applicable rates and about these changes.  Toll-free: 1-800-565-3294, or for more information please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada/services/first-nations-inuit-health/non-insured-health-benefits/benefits-information/non-insured-health-benefits-program-update-first-nations-inuit-health-canada.html#s19-06-1

For full details on NIHB eye and vision care benefit please visit:

https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada/services/first-nations-inuit-health/non-insured-health-benefits/benefits-information/vision-care-benefits-information.html

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Newsletter June 2019

Kwe’

National Indigenous Peoples Day is just around the corner and there are plenty of celebrations happening across the province.  We’ve been doing our best to do a roundup of events being hosted by various community groups and organizations.  Clicking on page 1 will lead you to the full list of events.  Is there something missing? Let us know by emailing communications@qalipu.ca

One thing I hope you’ll take note of in this newsletter is the importance of updating your ginu membership profile.  Information on how and why you should do this can be found on page 5 of this edition of Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k.

In a nutshell, we need your email address to send you important news, benefit updates and e-voting opportunities, and a mailing address so that we can send voter information packages the next time we have an election.  Recall that in 2018 we had an amendment vote to change the way we run elections so, next time around, everything you need to cast your vote will arrive in the mail.   Many in our communities may not realize this change so let’s help each other out by spreading the word.

Please, update ginu!

Also, in this edition of the newsletter, find an update on the Comprehensive Community Plan (Page 10), a great story on sharing Indigenous culture in the classroom and on the land (Page 11), and an update from the Natural Resources Department on a wetland delineation project (Page 12-13).

If you’ve got news to share, please send it our way!

Wela’lin

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Join our Community Mailing List

You don’t have to be a member of the Band to stay in touch and participate in the many activities happening within our communities. Qalipu welcomes status, non-status, and non-Indigenous people to connect and get involved!

Click here to join our Community Mailing List

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Update your Profile in the Qalipu Membership Database

Our membership database, ginu, is an essential tool for all members of the Band.  It allows QFN to stay in touch with its members for elections, email voting that may take place between elections, and to share general communications like special offers, newsletters and Messages from the Chief.  The database also allows members to complete their employment profile and opt to receive notice of employment opportunities and lets them identify if they’d like to be contacted regarding volunteer opportunities.

LOGGING IN

Logging in is easy.  From the top of our website, Qalipu.ca, click on GINU MEMBER LOGIN.  You will then see options:

  • logging in for the first time (new members) After agreeing to the terms and conditions, new members will be asked for their 10-digit status number (034xxxxxxx), their date of birth and will have to *create a password.
  • or already logged in once. If you’ve logged in once before, use your 10-digit status number and your password.

If a password is forgotten, or you have trouble logging in, please click forgot your password or call the support line 1-855-263-6440.

*Note: new passwords must be a minimum of 8 characters in length, contain an uppercase letter, contain a lowercase letter and contain a number.

Once you have logged in, you will see that your profile is organized into three parts: My Profile, My Employment Advantage and Communication Preferences.

MY PROFILE

We ask all members to fill out as much information as possible here, however there are several essential items we will need for all members of the Band.  All of these can be updated under the “My Profile” tab:

  • Email – we may email important information as often as once a week.
    • Message from the Chief
    • Email voting
    • Newsletter
    • Special offers
    • Events
    • Benefit, service and program updates
  • Mailing Address
    • Your voter information package will be sent through the mail
    • Your Electoral Ward is determined by your current mailing address if living in and around the Wards
    • Your Electoral Ward is determined by your Substantive Community Connection if you live outside the Wards.
  • Phone number
    • Telephone campaigns may be used to contact you regarding important issues and/or opportunities

MY EMPLOYMENT ADVANTAGE

Are you looking for employment? Qalipu First Nation is often in contact with employers and would like to help you find a job! One way that we do this is through the Employment Advantage feature in our database.

  • Sign up for the Employment Advantage Mailing List. If you would like to have Qalipu First Nation contact you on behalf of potential employers, agents, contracting individuals or entities regarding any new employment, business, or contractual opportunities, go to the Communication Preferences Tab and select that option.
  • Your Employee Profile contains resume information like education, training, certifications, and other information to help Qalipu understand the needs of our members from an employment point of view. We encourage you to complete as much of this information as possible whether you are currently seeking employment or not.  This information can be used to help guide our programs, services and program delivery.

COMMUNICATION PREFERENCES

  • Communication Consent Preferences. Add an email address and choose how you would like to be contacted.
    • First option = send me everything (programs, services, newsletters, events, announcements)
    • Second option = send me the essentials only! Sign up to receive emails regarding elections, e-voting, enrolment and important notices regarding your benefits
    • Third option = Employment Advantage: sign up to be contacted about jobs and training opportunities
    • Fourth option = Volunteer: sign up to receive notice about opportunities to volunteer
  • Member Live Stream. We are working toward making Council Meetings available by livestream.  Signing in to your ginu membership profile will be your access to these, and other members only viewing opportunities.
  • News from Qalipu.ca. All the Latest News is streamed here.

Questions? Please contact profile@qalipu.ca or call 1-855-263-6440

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Monitoring Climate Change – Call for Volunteers

The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band is going to be monitoring climate change in your area and we need your help!

I’m Jasmine Pinksen, a Qalipu member, Master’s Student, and for this summer working with the Qalipu First Nation who will be assisting in completing the Talikiskik? (how’s the weather?) project. This project seeks to better understand climate change here in Newfoundland by setting up climate monitoring stations throughout NL and by getting your feedback and assistance.

Volunteers Needed!

It’s as simple as an occasional check in at a weather station in your area to see that it has not been destroyed, stolen, or malfunctioning.

Your assistance will contribute to beneficial local research that will help to better understand weather, snow/ ice melt patterns, fruit set times for berries, and many other climate related indicators.

This is great experience for youth interested in pursuing careers in science, birdwatchers, hikers, berry pickers, and pretty much anyone who loves to be outdoors. You do not need to take on multiple stations or even go to one station multiple times, but the more help the better. Together if we each take a small walk once every week or so we will be able to better understand our climate and how it is changing on a large scale. Many hands make light work!

To join our team of volunteers or to ask questions and give feedback please contact:

Jasmine Pinksen
jasminepinksen@gmail.com
709-649-8802

Ms. Monique Carroll of the Qalipu Mi’Kmaq, receives a special award for support to the Reserve Force during the Canadian Forces Liaison Council Awards Ceremony at Cartier Square Drill Hall on May 9th, 2019.

The Canadian Armed Forces recognize employers and educators from across Canada for outstanding support to their employees and students who serve as reservists. Their support allows Canadian Armed Forces to fulfill its commitment under Canada’s Defence Policy Strong, Secure, Engaged and generate full-time capability through a Reserve Force providing part-time service.

l-r: Brigadier-General Liam McGarry, Chief of Staff Army Operations, Ms. Monique Carroll, Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Bond, Mr. Bill Mahoney.

Photo Credit: Corporal Lisa Fenton
Canadian Forces Support Unit (Ottawa) Imaging Services
© 2019 DND-MDN Canada SU06-2019-0329-007
(L-R) Brigadier-General Liam McGarry, Chief of Staff Army Operations, Monique Carroll, Director of Education and Training Department, nominator Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Bond, Provincial Chair Mr. Bill Mahoney, Chief Warrant Officer Kent Clapham, Army Reserve Sergeant Major

Qalipu First Nation Receives Special Award for Support of Black Bear Program

May 27, 2019 Corner Brook— Qalipu First Nation was recently recognized as a committed supporter of
Reservists in the Canadian Armed Forces and received the Special Award for support to the Reserve
Force on May 9, 2019 during a formal ceremony at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

The nomination was made by Lieutenant-Colonel Kevin Bond, Royal Newfoundland Regiment, in
acknowledgement of QFN’s work in hosting information sessions to help raise awareness of the Black
Bear Program, a summer program geared primarily toward Indigenous youth. In the nomination, Bond
noted “As Qalipu Chief, Chief Brendan Mitchell is committed to the ongoing development of Qalipu on
behalf of his community. He promotes positive change in fostering a prosperous tomorrow for all
especially the youth in the Qalipu community. He was very quick to seize the opportunity to promote
the Black Bear program as a source of employment for youth and at the same time promote indigenous
culture.”

Chief Brendan Mitchell was unable to attend the awards ceremony in Ottawa. The Chief was
represented by Monique Carroll, Director of Education and Training. Carroll and her staff led the
Black Bear promotion initiative, brining information sessions across all the Wards.

Carroll said, “we are always looking for partnerships that will help us deliver more education,
training and employment opportunities to our people. The Black Bear Program provides great pay,
covers meals, accommodations and travel and positive cultural experiences along with basic military
training. We want young people to know about these opportunities, we want them to succeed. We
were pleased to partner with the Canadian Armed Forces to do this.”

Reflecting on the award, Chief Brendan Mitchell noted, “we had four indigenous people from
Newfoundland take part in the Black Bear Program in 2018. This was the first summer for
participation by Newfoundland’s Indigenous youth. For some, this was an important step in
recognizing their own potential and dreams. We expect to see much greater Newfoundland
representation at Black Bear this coming summer. We will continue to work with the Canadian Armed
Forces to bring opportunity to our youth and others”.

Members are invited to keep an eye out for education, employment and training opportunities, like
Black Bear, on the Band’s Education and Training Facebook page.