Naoise White 2023

Orange Shirts Featuring Design By Naoise White Now on Sale!

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Qalipu First Nation offers a logo contest for school-aged children across Canada in commemoration of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. The children were asked to design a logo that demonstrates their thoughts and feelings about the history of residential schools and what this day means to them.

Naoise White, a Grade 7 student from Corner Brook Intermediate was the 2023 contest winner.

Naoise shared some details about her design:

“My drawing is about all Canadians being united and being committed to freedom, trust and healing.  The circle represents all Canadians, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, living in harmony together. They are strong and united. Their orange shirts show that every child matters whatever their background is. They care and respect the people who went to residential schools.

In the middle of the circle, there is an eagle feather. It is a powerful symbol of connection, freedom, trust and wisdom. Freedom for all Canadians, trust that their lives are equal and wisdom not to allow it to happen again. This is what the feather means for my drawing.

The background is a medicine wheel. It is about health and healing for everyone no matter what. The four parts of the wheel are, physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional. This is what my truth and reconciliation drawing is about.”

A limited number of shirts featuring this winning logo are available for purchase by visiting the Corner Brook office. Payments are cash only.  The cost of a T-shirt will be $15 for youth sizes and $20 for adult sizes and youth sizes are available. All profit from t-shirt sales will be donated to an organization or charity that supports Truth and Reconciliation.

Keep an eye out for the 2024 logo contest which will be launched soon!

Message from the Chief (1)

Message from the Chief – September 20th, 2024

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This month as we commemorate the anniversary of our Qalipu First Nation, we reflect on the past thirteen years. We have journeyed together, through many challenges, making incredible strides as a strong Mi’kmaq people of this island.

Since Qalipu First Nation gained federal recognition as a band in 2011, it has been a priority to not only honor the legacy of our ancestors but to ensure that our community thrives for future generations. We have built strong relationships with our kin across Turtle Island as members of the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat and the Assembly of First Nations. These relationships have amplified our voices, advocating for policies that uplift and benefit our people. Our many partnerships have given us platforms to influence decisions on national and regional levels, helping secure resources and programs that support education, health, housing, and economic development for our members.

We’ve had tremendous successes along the way—whether through initiatives that strengthen our cultural preservation, or in areas like Indigenous business development, where we’ve empowered our entrepreneurs and created opportunities for economic growth across k’tamkuk. We remain committed to supporting the preservation of our Mi’kmaq language, the transmission of knowledge from our elders to our youth, and ensuring our rich traditions of hunting, fishing, and trapping remain an integral part of who we are.

Our journey has been one of resilience. As we move forward, let us continue to walk together in the spirit of kinship, holding fast to the values and traditions that make us who we are. Together, we will ensure that our future remains as bright as the legacy of our ancestors.

Wela’lin to our past and current council members, to our incredible staff, our community champions and Elders and to every member. May we continue to rise and succeed, standing strong as Mi’kmaq people.

Open Call for Poetry

Calling all K-12 Students – Poetry Contest!

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Youth in grades K-12 are invited to submit their original poem commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 🪶

The author of the selected poem will win a prize for their school, as well as have their poem featured at the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event in Corner Brook on September 30th, 2024.

The deadline for submissions is September 25th @ 4PM

Please send submissions via email to awhiffen@qalipu.ca 🧡

Have Your Say

We want your input on the South Coast Fjords!

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From September 16, 2024 to October 6, 2024, Parks Canada will be seeking your feedback on the proposed national marine conservation area (NMCA) in the South Coast Fjords of Newfoundland and Labrador and the proposed redesignation of Sandbanks Provincial Park under Parks Canada protection. We invite you to participate in our online survey during this time to share your views. Your input will be instrumental in shaping the proposal for this region.

Share your Feedback Now!

Sept13MsgfromtheChief

Message from the Chief – September 13th, 2024

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This month is Suicide Awareness Month, a month dedicated to fostering difficult conversations, listening with compassion, and supporting one another in seeking help. Suicide has a profound impact on our communities, and many of us have experienced the loss of loved ones. There is always hope; when we reach out, are able to offer support, and affirm the value of our people, we can work toward a future where no one feels isolated in their struggles.

Promoting understanding and empathy can create a safe space for discussing mental health challenges. Seeking help should be seen as a sign of strength, not weakness, because mental health is as crucial as physical health.

Currently, the suicide rate among Indigenous people is approximately three times higher than that of the general Canadian population. Youth suicide, along with other life-threatening behaviors, is a pressing issue for many Indigenous communities. The suicide and suicide attempt rates among Indigenous youth are significantly higher compared to the general population, deeply affecting families and communities. While youth suicide is a complex issue, many of these deaths are preventable. We need to dig deep to repair the root causes of this tragic statistic and commit to doing the hard work that will help support the people who need it most.

Using neutral, factual, and respectful language is crucial in reducing stigma. The way we talk about suicide should focus on prevention and avoid reinforcing negative connotations. The term “committed suicide” is stigmatizing and implies criminality or moral failing. Suicide is not a crime; it was decriminalized in 1972. Recent changes to the Criminal Code of Canada refer to “dying by suicide” instead of “committing suicide.”

Let us use this time to strengthen our connections with elders, youth, and families, sharing stories of healing and moving forward together in hope. You are never alone—our ancestors are with you, and so are we.

In November, the 988 suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline will become available. This service will offer immediate support through calls or texts, connecting individuals to crisis or suicide prevention services at no cost.

For more information, visit: https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/catalyst/three-easy-digits-well-all-soon-know/

Sept6MsgfromtheChief

Message from the Chief – September 6th, 2024

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Whether you’re heading back to elementary or high school, beginning a new adventure in college or university, or pursuing further education of any kind, education holds profound importance on our future, serving as a bridge between preserving cultural traditions and embracing opportunities in the modern world. It is more than just acquiring knowledge from textbooks, it’s a way to empower individuals, uplift families, and strengthen the entire community.

For Indigenous peoples, education plays a vital role in reclaiming identity and fostering pride in our culture, language, and traditional practices. Our ancestors passed down knowledge through storytelling, song, and connection to the land. Today, education continues this process by allowing us to share and protect our Mi’kmaq ways while navigating the challenges of today’s world. By combining traditional knowledge with modern education, we empower our youth to lead with confidence in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous spaces.

Access to education provides hope and inspiration. It opens doors to careers, personal growth, and leadership opportunities, and it also builds connections with the past. For older generations, it provides a chance to share knowledge with the youth and contribute to lifelong learning.

As you embark on this new school year, remember that you carry the strength and resilience of your ancestors, and your community is here to support you every step of the way.

Meeting of Chief and Council-1

Meeting of Chief and Council

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The next meeting of Chief and Council is scheduled for Saturday, September 21 at 10:00am in the Qalipu Community Room, 1 Church Street.

Registration is required to attend the meeting. Deadline to register is Friday, September 13, 2024, at 12:30pm.

Members wishing to attend can contact Natasha or Allyson by telephone or email:
Natasha – 709-634-6895, email: nlavers@qalipu.ca
Allyson – 709-634-5111, email: arobbins@qalipu.ca

Members can view the meeting’s livestream by logging on to their KINU membership profile: https://mala.qalipu.ca/ginu/login.aspx

Message from the chief - August 30, 2024 (1)

Message from the Chief – August 30th, 2024

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As summer comes to an end and we look forward to fall, we are reminded of our deep connection to the land and all it offers. With the change of each season, many of us are carrying on our traditional practices of farming, foraging, hunting, trapping, and fishing—practices that have sustained our ancestors for generations and continue to sustain us today.

For centuries, we have lived in harmony with the land, taking only what we need and giving thanks for the abundance it provides. Our ancestors were among the first entrepreneurs, engaging in trade across our island and the rest of Mi’kma’ki. Yet today, we sometimes face harmful labels like “poaching,” which misunderstand and misrepresent our ways. It is crucial that we stand firm in our identity and educate others about the values that guide our interactions with the land.

Our traditions are not just practices; they are a way of life, passed down through the generations by our elders. They are the keepers of our knowledge, the ones who teach us how to live in harmony with the earth. As we move through this season of change, I encourage all of us to strengthen the connection between our elders and our youth. Let us create opportunities for our young people to learn the traditional ways of knowing and doing. By doing so, we are not just preserving our heritage—we are ensuring that our culture remains vibrant and strong for the next seven generations.

It is up to us to maintain and protect our traditions, to respect the land and all it offers, and to pass on these values to those who will come after us. We must be proactive, not reactive. In doing so, we honor our ancestors and ensure that our way of life endures.

Home Repair Assistance

Accepting Applications for the Home Repair Assistance Program (CLOSED)

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Qalipu First Nation (QFN) Housing Division is pleased to announce the launch of the Home Repair Assistance Program (HRAP). This program will provide financial assistance up to $5,000.00 for eligible applicants residing in Newfoundland & Labrador.

This program will support housing repairs to increase functionality, sustainability, and longevity of homes, that will ensure a safe and sound standard of living specific to members and their needs. While funding is limited, the collection of data and the need for similar programs will be thoroughly assessed during this process.

Applicants MUST submit all required documentation by September 30th, 2024.

It is strongly recommended that applicants and/or co-applicants review the application in its entirety to ensure that all required documentation is included prior to submission. Please note, if all required documentation is not provided, the application may not be reviewed or processed.

To be eligible for funding, the home repair MUST fall into one of the following categories:

  • Emergency repairs that, if not completed, will force the homeowner to leave their home
  • Roofing
  • Oil Tank Replacement
  • Windows and doors

Requirement of combined annual household net income must be below $49,039.00, based on Government definition of “Low Income Taxable Reduction – LITR”

Please note that program funding is limited, and applications will not be processed until the submission window has closed.  Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, not all applicants will be approved, and only those receiving funding will be contacted.

Find the application here: Application (pdf)

Contact:

Housing Development Officer
Paul Brake
709-634-5472
pbrake@qalipu.ca