


Help Us Keep Member Information Up to Date
Dear QFN Members,
We kindly ask that you notify our office to update your information whenever there are changes, such as:
- A change of home address
- A change of email address
- A name change
- A change in gender
- A change in marital status
- A transfer between bands
Additionally, if a family member has passed away, please provide a copy of the death certificate.
By notifying us of these changes, you help ensure that our records remain accurate and up to date.
If changes need to be made to your membership information, please contact Nancy O’Connell by phone or email at the following:
- Phone: 709-634-4010
- Toll Free: 1-855-263-6440
- Email: noconnell@qalipu.ca
You can also update your information online using the Member Information Update Form
During the summer, we will have student assistants helping us in maintaining our Kinu membership database. As part of this work, you may receive a phone call from one of our team members to verify your information.
Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work to maintain an accurate and respectful record of our community.
Wela’liek – We thank you.

Qalipu First Nation welcomes Scott Janes as New Indigenous Patient Navigator
We are excited to welcome Scott Janes as the Indigenous Patient Navigator for Qalipu First Nation!
Scott will be providing advocacy and assistance for Indigenous patients navigating the healthcare system, offering both medical navigation and cultural support at healthcare facilities in the western zone of NL Health Services.
If you need help with healthcare navigation or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!
📞 Contact Information:
- 640-9007 or 1-833-640-9007
- Email: scott.janes@qalipu.ca or ipn.western@nlhealthservices.ca

Election Results: By-Election for St. George’s Ward Councillor
The voting window for the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Council By-Election for the St. George’s Ward Councilor closed at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The elected councillor will serve a four-year term on council. Following a 30-day appeal period, as outlined in the Custom Rules governing Qalipu elections, the new councillor for the St. George’s Ward will be officially sworn in and take office.
Custom Election Rules be found here on the website Election Hub: https://qalipu.ca/qalipu-election-hub/
For inquiries, please contact:
Reisha Knott
Electoral Officer
rknott@qalipu.ca
709-486-2427

Election Day: By-Election for St. George’s Ward Councilor
The voting window for the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Council By-Election for the St. George’s Ward Councilor is open until 8:00 p.m. this evening.
Need to locate your voter information package?
✅ Check your email (if you have an active and valid email listed in your KINU membership profile). If you don’t see it in your inbox, check your junk folder.
✅ Check your postage mail (if your KINU profile has your full, accurate, and current home address).
❗ If you haven’t received your package, please contact the By-Election Helpdesk at 1-833-579-5673.
The Qalipu By-Election Helpdesk is open to assist you!
Today, March 26 – the final voting day – the helpdesk is available from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
For any further questions, contact:
Reisha Knott
Electoral Officer
📧 rknott@qalipu.ca
📞 709-486-2427

Council Meeting Report – March 22, 2025
The Qalipu Chief and Council met on Saturday, March 22, for their regularly scheduled meeting in Corner Brook.
Budget Approval for 2025-2026
The focus of the meeting was to review and approve the Annual Operating Plans (AOPs) and budgets for all departments, aligning with the 10-year Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP).
The proposed budget was approved, and the motion was carried.
Read the Comprehensive Community Plan here: https://qalipu.ca/comprehensive-community-plan/
Highlights of the 2025-2026 Annual Operating Plan
- Health & Wellness:
- Expand staff and resources for NIHB services.
- Improve membership access to mental health counseling.
- Provide mental wellness programs and on-the-land experiences.
- Explore housing options for members.
- Support infrastructure development, including Wigwam Point and other traditional sites.
- Education, Training & Community Development:
- Continue the Post-Secondary Student Support Program.
- Provide youth with opportunities to enhance their career development and employment goals through career exploration, job placements, business creation, and workplace skills training.
- Pursue partnerships and initiatives to support training and employment opportunities.
- Increase the frequency of targeted training in traditional and high-demand sectors.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key funders and stakeholders.
- Continue to support tourism businesses through Experience Qalipu.
- Provide learning opportunities and training sessions for members.
- Environment & Natural Resources:
- Conduct patrols under the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy program.
- Continue research and monitoring around species at risk, including little brown bats, piping plovers, and pine marten.
- Work with groups focused on species and habitat conservation.
- Finance:
- Ensure all pertinent staff are trained on the new accounting software.
- Provide monthly reports to directors and managers.
- Conduct a budget planning session with key stakeholders.
- Create a Compliance Officer position.
- Executive Office:
- Review QFN by-laws and policies.
- Develop an infrastructure plan pending available funding.
- Investigate the possibility of a tax exemption for members.
- Continue discussions regarding fishing rights for members.
- Strengthen relationships with other First Nations across the country.
- Identify funding for a communications strategy and website redevelopment.
- Operations:
- Strengthen IT security and develop online member forms.
- Implement cybersecurity training for staff.
- Provide in-person Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) application assistance.
- Engage summer students in updating KINU profiles.
Organizational Chart Updates
Aligning with the AOPs, several new positions have been created, including:
- Assistant Director of Health & Wellness
- Cultural Wellness Facilitator
- Compensation & Benefits Officer
- Compliance Officer
To expand capacity, an additional Mental Wellness Outreach Officer and Early Childhood Educator have been added, as well as an NIHB Administrative Assistant. Some roles have been renamed to better align with the evolving needs of the departments.
Additionally, cultural staff have been reassigned to the Health & Wellness Department, integrating wellness and cultural practices. Community development staff have transitioned to the Education & Training Department, emphasizing learning and career development opportunities.
QFN now employs nearly 90 full-time staff, exceeding 100 with seasonal and contractual employees.
The organizational chart was approved as presented, and the motion was carried.
Band Manager Update
The Band Manager reported that policy reviews are ongoing, and he provided an update on the 2023-2024 audited financial statements.
The delay in the 2023-24 financials is due to the implementation of a new accounting software that caused several challenges. The glitches in the software have been identified, and the system is now stable and working as it should. The audit is ongoing, and work is also being done on the current year’s audit. The goal is to have the 2024-2025 financials ready for Council’s approval on time in July.
Next Council Meeting
The next Council meeting is scheduled for May 24, 2025, in Corner Brook.