Emily Laite is a Mi’Kmaq youth from Gander who stays connected to her culture by attending band meetings and taking part in cultural days and activities. “There is still so much I don’t know about my culture,” said Emily. “I want to be able to learn about my culture and be able to pass it along to other members of the community for years to come.

For Emily being a Mi’kmaw youth means being a part of a greater community.  She said, “I am proud to live as a Mi’kmaw person and to be able to learn about my heritage and my culture from other members of my community.”

Emily has always taken part in meetings and cultural events over the years but plans to become more involved in her hometown of Gander now that she has finished her post-secondary education and is living home again.

Among her long list of accomplishments Emily is currently on the Board of Directors for the Atlantic Summer Institute, “that takes place in Prince Edward Island in which we do a lot of work with Indigenous people and their mental health,” she explained.

She is also on the Premier’s Youth Council where she has the opportunity to meet with the Premier and several ministers to discuss various topics, “I strive to not only represent youth in this role but also indigenous peoples; therefore, I advocate for different ways of thinking about topics such as mental health, education, and healthcare practices.”

When discussing Qalipu’s Comprehensive Community Plan, Emily said that a part of her vision for the future of Qalipu is that there will be more cultural activities held in Central Newfoundland, “to allow Band members to learn more about our culture and to become more involved,” she said. Right now, Emily said there are not many events held in her area that allow indigenous youth, such as herself, to learn and engage with Mi’kmaq culture.

Emily’s vision for the future of Qalipu also includes seeing initiatives put in place to teach Indigenous education island-wide, “this could involve children having access to resources to help them learn how to speak Mi’Kmaq and also to learn about their ancestors and cultural practices,” said Emily.

The Qalipu Cultural Foundation, along with a multitude of Indigenous community partners, is happy to report that the first-ever “virtual celebration” of National Indigenous Peoples Day was a huge success.  Thousands of people tuned into the online content from throughout the country and participants were happy to have the chance to connect to their culture and their community from anywhere with internet access.  The event was so well received in fact that even when face-to-face celebrations can resume, the planning team commits to offering a digital connection for years to come!

Qalipu Band Chief Brendan Mitchell commented on the positive aspect of the community working together during difficult times.  He said, “Witnessing our Nation finding a way to come together to celebrate and share was such a positive light during this unprecedented and unpredictable time.  This event demonstrates the strength of our community when we work together, and I hope to see many more virtual celebrations in the future.”

Content that was shared included a medicine bag teaching and tutorial, stories, messages from community members, song sharing and a bed-time story for the little ones.  If you missed the day, you can access all uploaded videos on the Qalipu First Nation Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/QalipuFirstNation/videos/

The Qalipu Cultural Foundation and Band would like to thank the following groups and individuals for taking part and sharing in the event:

St. John’s Mi’kmaq Women’s Circle
Michelle Bennett
Mi’kmaq Drumming and Cultural Circle, Inc.
Colleen Paul
Aspen Woodworks Demonstration
St. George’s Indian Band
Burgeo Band of Indians
Indian Cove Women’s Circle
Qalipu First Nation
Qalipu Youth Network
North Shore Aboriginal Group Inc
Dean Simon
Exploits Aboriginal Community Group
Tyrone Mulrooney
Benoit First Nation
Kikmanaq Indigenous Cultural Revival Association
People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Center
Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network
Parks Canada

The Qalipu Cultural Foundation has partnered with Ulnooweg Indigenous Communities Foundation and the Mastercard Foundation to bring you this opportunity to win an iPad! If you’re a student struggling to afford an electronic device, please see below for more details including eligibility criteria and how to apply.

• Join ‘Comprehensive Community Plan’ Facebook Group to download the colouring page.
• Share your child’s completed art on social media with #CCPColouringContest.
• E-mail coloured image to sgardiner@qalipu.ca
• Your child could win one of three kids prize packs!

Click here to visit the Comprehensive Community Plan Group and participate in this colouring contest (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1707570856049539)

Qalipu First Nation is dedicated to providing support and creating opportunities for Mi’kmaq artists and craftspeople. Mi’kmaq people who create traditional and modern art and craft act as a catalyst to cultural revival; artists and craftspeople are preserving and promoting our traditional skills.

Experience Qalipu is partnering with the Deer Lake Airport Gift Shop to provide retail space to Mi’kmaq artists and craftspeople. Brent Marsden, the owner of the giftshop, is working with the Experience Qalipu team to create a section of the store dedicated to authentic Indigenous art and craft. Marsden shares that he is “looking forward to showing visitors another aspect of Newfoundland culture.” This retail space will create an economic and promotional opportunity for Mi’kmaq artists and craftspeople.

Tara Saunders, Director of Community Development at Qalipu First Nation says ” We are extremely excited to work with the Deer Lake Airport Gift Shop to offer this opportunity to our Indigenous community.  We will continue to work on other retail opportunities for our crafts people and artists throughout our region and beyond.  Promoting Indigenous products not only creates economic growth for our people, but also helps to preserve important elements of who we are for many generations to come.”

If you are a Mi’kmaq artist or craftsperson who is interested in selling your items at the Deer Lake Airport Gift Shop, please contact Alex Antle for more information, aantle@qalipu.ca. Please note that you do not need to be a member of the Qalipu First Nation Band to take advantage of this opportunity, this retail space is open to all Indigenous people.

If you are a Mi’kmaq artist or craftsperson who is interested in staying up to date with all Indigenous art and craft opportunities, please sign up for the Experience Qalipu Art and Craft Opportunity Mailing list: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ArtistMailingList

If you are a Mi’kmaq artist or craftsperson who is interested in staying up to date with all Indigenous art and craft opportunities, please sign up for the Experience Qalipu Art and Craft Opportunity Mailing list: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ArtistMailingList

On June 8, 2020, our community lost someone very dear to many people, Ms. Margaret McDonald.

Margaret was the great-granddaughter of Mary Paul, who lived at Wigwam Point, which is near the mouth of the Exploits River in Peterview, NL.  Before her passing, Chief Nellie Power and Margaret’s daughter, Linda Langdon, was preparing to acknowledge her and her empowering spirit.  In her honour, we what to share those words and recognize this strong Mi’kmaw women who was loved by so many.  The following words were written by Linda and Chief Power:

“What do 95-year-old elders do? They empower all those that they meet.

 

Margaret F McDonald is one of those people.  She is a founding member of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians and a long-standing member of the Sple’tk Band in Central Newfoundland and Labrador.  Margaret is also a founding member of the Qalipu Band.

 

Margaret has always known her ancestry, her father (Frank Beaton) was a big influence in her upbringing.  Her father made sure that she knew and understood about the land, how to hunt for food and know what was editable in the forest, to set slips for rabbits, clean, cook, gather, and to only take what was needed. Margaret instilled all these things in her own family both girls and boys even taking her grandchildren on excursion on the land and water. Margaret still has a big love for the land and nature.  Never missing a gathering at Wigwam Point, sharing her Mi’kmaq culture in her home town of Norris Arm at the Heritage Festival each year, not to mention twice a month to meet with the Exploits Drummers to do what women have done for centuries, “to sit in a circle, to share, talk, drum and sing”.

 

One of her favourite moments was when she received her regalia and drum at the age of 80 years and was very honoured to walk in the Grand Entry at the Powwow in Conne River held each year.

 

She has been interviewed a number of times by those who wanted to share her knowledge with others. She has been involved in Moon Ceremonies, Elders Feasts, was Water Ceremonies but most of all listening and learning both young and old alike can learn from each other.”

Margaret will be missed by many, and while she may not walk with us in-person, her spirit is with us and will continue to empower and inspire those who were fortunate to know her.

“When I hear drums beating, I can feel it in my heart,” said Verlie Sharpe of Grand Falls-Windsor. Verlie is a proud Mi’kmaw woman and for her it means the world to claim Mi’kmaq heritage as her own. “I am very proud to be called Mi’kmaw”, she said. Verlie is the Vice President of the Exploits Aboriginal Community group, a member of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network, and a member of Eastern Door.

Through her involvement with the Exploits Valley Aboriginal Community Group Verlie shares her knowledge of drumming and culture with youth, seniors, and everyone in between. Along with the group, Verlie was a part of the opening ceremony for Special Olympics in 2019. “I feel honoured and proud to do so along without Aboriginal Group and the children from Bernie’s Puktew,” said Verlie. Aside from sharing aspects of culture, she has also facilitated seniors workshops in the area for seniors, violence prevention, and lateral violence to make her community a better place for everyone.

Verlie is passionate about her culture and she stays connected in the way she lives her everyday life, “I am an outdoors person,” she said, “I fish, I harvest moose in the fall and give back thanks to the Creator by offering tobacco to the surrounding area. I pick berries whenever they are available and bottle them as well as moose, rabbit, seal, and caribou. Verlie is also talented at many aboriginal crafts, she has made rattles, baskets, sealskin mittens, moccasins and she does beadwork as well.

When asked about her vision for the future of Qalipu, Verlie said “I would love to see a Powwow in central and would love to see more programs in central for aboriginal children.”

Qalipu First Nation wishes to advise its membership of a change to the Council makeup following the resignation of Youth Representative Jessica Saunders late last week. The youth election held at the inaugural Mawita’jik Maljewe’jk (youth gathering) also included the election of an Alternate Youth Representative to share the duties of the role or step up in the absence of the elected representative. Alternate Youth Representative Salome Barker will now take the youth seat on Council.

Saunders noted that her family commitments made it difficult to dedicate herself fully to the role of Youth Representative but that she has appreciated her time on Council and hopes to be involved again in the future when her son is older.

She said, “I am very grateful for the kindness you guys have shown me and Leo, and I am sure that I will see you all again. I wish you all many blessings and joy. Thank you so much”

Salome Barker, also from central Newfoundland, is looking forward to the new role. She expressed gratitude for all the work Jessica has done and talked about her vision for working with Council.

“I’m very honoured and privileged to have a seat on the Qalipu Council as a youth councillor. I’m excited to bring so many Indigenous youths voices to the table and continue to uplift their voices and ideas. There are countless Mi’kmaq youth across the province who are doing tremendous work in cultural revitalization, supporting their communities and making positive change for future generations to come. I do believe that Qalipu youth are the future of Qalipu First Nation and it’s incredibly important to hear us and continue to make room for our voices. I know that I have the support from Mi’kmaq youth within our youth network and that they will be by my side throughout this journey. I’m looking forward to this new position and will have the youth as my top priority. Thank you for this opportunity. Msit No’kmaq.”

The Youth designed their own election code in which the responsibilities of the Youth Representative, elected for a one-year term, are as follows:

• Form and maintain a Youth Advisory Network.
• Lead the planning activities for the Youth Gathering.
• Represent the youth voice at the Qalipu First Nation Band Council.
• Carry forward recommendations to the Qalipu First Nation Band Council that arise from the annual Youth Gathering.
• Attend meetings of the Qalipu First Nation Band Council (estimated at six meetings per year).
• Report back to the Youth Advisory Network after Qalipu First Nation Band Council meetings.
• Establish and maintain a social media space for the Youth Advisory Network.
• Serve as an ambassador of Qalipu’s Youth Members.
• Be open-minded and listen to other ideas.
• Be respectful.
• Engage Indigenous youth.
• Represent the Qalipu First Nation at events where required.
• Facilitate discussions among the Youth Advisory Network to generate ideas, projects, and programs.
• Be active in local community groups.
• Get involved with local schools and engage youth at that level.

Salome will hold the seat until the next youth gathering which is scheduled to take place again later in the fall if gatherings are permitted.

Qalipu First Nation is conducting a land use survey in partnership with Marathon Gold. The data from the survey will be used to prepare a report to help advise the Environmental Assessment process for the proposed goldmine near Valentine Lake. It will also help to identify any potential environmental impacts the project may have on the surrounding area and on the livelihood of the people who use the land. No data will be shared with Marathon Gold nor will it be published.

More information on the Valentine Lake project can be found on Marathon Gold’s website (https://marathon-gold.com/valentine-gold-project/).

To take the survey click here, or copy and paste the URL into your browser:
https://trailmarkapp.com/tm/?client=qalipu&survey=369cac9cd056885f6831053a821b2c43
The survey is estimated to take just under 1 hour to complete.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns about the survey please contact Ian Sullivan at isullivan@qalipu.ca