June 23, 2023, marked a historic day in Burgeo as parties from across the province and across Canada came together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on establishing a National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) in the South Coast Fjords area.  The multipartite collaboration includes the Government of Canada, the Province of Newfoundland, the Miawpukek First Nation, the Qalipu First Nation and the Town of Burgeo.

The South Coast Fjords area, dubbed a biodiversity hotspot, is among the most productive marine environments in Atlantic Canada.  The coastal and marine ecosystems include spruce-fir forests, rocky barrens, sand dunes, flat sandy beaches, estuaries, large granite cliffs and deep, glacially carved fjords.  The coasts and waters are home to dolphins, porpoises and many endangered species.

Coming together to work on this project has been deeply meaningful to the Qalipu First Nation.

Chief Brendan Mitchell noted, “You have only to stand at the ocean’s edge to appreciate the power, beauty, and significance of water. This commitment to collaborate on the establishment of a new marine protected area in the South Coast Fjords region gives great meaning to me in my role as Chief. I look forward to working together in the spirit of protection and preservation of the world’s oceans.”

Following the official event which included drumming by the Burgeo First Nation Ladies Drumming Group, speeches, and MOU signing, participants travelled over to the Sandbanks Provincial Park for a Water Ceremony led by Arlene Blanchard White.

Chief Mitchell noted, “When we gathered at the beach, the importance of the day and the MOU we had just signed really hit home.  As leaders, we are very busy, and things can sometimes get lost in the politics and busyness of it all.  When we stood together in a circle to honour the water in ceremony, when we prayed for the waters that sustain us, that is when I believe we could all really feel the significance of what we were doing.  Water is life, without it, we would be lost.”

Parents and Guardians, schools out! Are you looking for something fun for your children to do this summer?

Qalipu First Nation is holding land-based learning camps at Indian Point, near Millertown in central NL. We’d love to have your kids join us! Camps are open to status, non-status and youth allies!

Not only will they get the health benefits of being outside on a daily basis, but they will also participate in river rafting, zip lining, harvesting berries, interacting with Elders and Knowledge Keepers on a daily basis, drum making, helping/learning to cook and clean (labrador tents, bathrooms, kitchen, etc), traditional crafting, working on restoring mamateeks, and harvesting cod out on Badger Bay with us!

Youth can sign up for one or all camps. Everything is absolutely FREE. We will even get your kids to camp. Camps will run Monday through Friday with weekends off.

Staff are trained in wilderness first aid, have all clearance checks and are super fun to interact with!

We can be your kids’ summer entertainment, all the while they are learning and won’t know it. It’s designed to be educational but more so fun!

Send us a message and or connect with Kim or Paul to register. Seats are limited for all the dates on the poster, first come-first serve.

Youth between the ages of 12 and 16 are invited to register for upcoming Land-Based Learning Camps set to take place this summer at Indian Point, Millertown. Camp dates are as follows:

July 10-14
July 17-21
July 24-28
August 7-11
August 14-18
August 21-25

For more information about this opportunity, or to register, please contact Kimberly Butt at kbutt@qalipu.ca or Paul Pike at ppike@qalipu.ca

A letter called Incomplete Submission. was sent on May 15, 2023 to those applicants who provided their documentation with missing or incomplete information:

• the Declaration form;
• signature on the Declaration form;
• signature on the Acknowledgement and Release;
• witness signature on the Acknowledgement and Release;
• proof of service;
• a certified true copy stamp on the proof of service

The applicants receiving this letter will have 30 days to provide their documents and correct the missing or incomplete information, sent to this address:

Enrolment Committee
Indigenous Services Canada
Box 9100
Winnipeg MB R3C 0M9

Your response must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2023.

If you don’t respond by that date, the Enrolment Committee or the Appeal Master will not consider your application further. The existing decision of the Enrolment Committee to reject your application for founding membership will remain in effect.

Click here for the Service Members Agreement – Questions & Answers

Last Friday, May 5th, marked the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirited People (MMIWG2S). Qalipu First Nation commemorated the day with an event at the Mikwite’tm [mig we day dum – I remember] Garden in Corner Brook; “Say Their Name” was a spiritual community gathering featuring smudging, prayer, words of remembrance, poster making and a walk of awareness.