As work continues on our ten-year budget, to include input received during strategic and comprehensive community planning engagement sessions, we want to hear your thoughts about how to balance the budget while creating more opportunities to give back to our communities, and ensuring members continue to have access to the programs and services they need.
Please, take a few moments to complete this Survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BJZN7GT
The Comprehensive Community Plan (CCP) is a process that will allow our community to build a roadmap towards sustainability, self-sufficiency, and improved government capacity. It will allow the community to establish a vision for its future and implement projects to achieve this vision. This process is intended to be inclusive, representing the perspective of all members, from youths to Elders, within or outside the community.
The key planning areas are governance, land and resources, health, infrastructure development, culture, social issues, and the economy. The CCP will be sustainable, meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to thrive.
Qalipu First Nation looks forward to working with the community to develop the CCP via meetings, presentations, surveys and a variety of community engagement.
In October 2019 Jasmine Collis, Non-Insured Health Benefits Support Specialist with Qalipu, attended a three-week residency at Coady International Institute in Antigonish, NS, as a part of the Indigenous Women in Community Leadership (IWCL) program. Each year Indigenous women leaders from across the country are awarded a full scholarship to complete the IWCL program, which focuses on designing a community project that will have a positive impact on their communities. The program covers Indigenous Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), which filters the concept of ABCD through a cultural lens. Each morning began with a smudge, followed by teachings provided by an Elder.
The first group task demonstrated the ABCD concept quite clearly. The group of 19 women leaders were assigned the task of assembling a Tipi with no help from instructors or staff. The group had to work together to use each woman’s knowledge and/or skills to raise the tipi poles and wrap the canvas. Using innovative and creative techniques, the tipi was raised and stood tall. Each woman then had the opportunity to paint on the tipi, alongside many other women who had previously completed the program.
Jasmine noted, “Hearing about the projects that the other women are developing and getting to know them, and their backgrounds, was an amazing experience that I’ll never forget. The three weeks were full of inspiration and I felt very empowered as an Indigenous woman. I have come to realize how unique our Nation’s history is in Newfoundland, compared to other First Nations across Canada. Our story is one that we need to keep telling, as we reclaim our culture.”
This year was the first time Coady hosted an IWCL Gathering of the past cohorts. The three-day conference included over 100 Indigenous women leaders from across the country, with keynote speaker Dr. Ngahuia Te Awekotuku of New Zealand delivering an account of the struggles, barriers, and strengths of Indigenous people from her home country.
Jasmine said that the presentation on the Māori people was powerful. She said, “Following her presentation, the auditorium sang the Strong Women’s Song to her while one woman drummed. It was an incredibly moving experience.”
Since her return home Jasmine has begun working on her community project, which will focus on supporting Indigenous youth in her community, by creating the opportunity for youth to speak for themselves and to conduct their own ABCD approach to the needs of the youth.
Acm
9am-5pm
sinbads hotel conference room 111
Gander, nl
No cost for this certification.
registration is required
all 3 aboriginal coaching modules will be completed
please call Valentina Nolan (709)643-3580
Members of the Band are invited to participate in the development of the Qalipu First Nation five-year strategic plan via consultation sessions scheduled to take place throughout the territory.
Band Chief Brendan Mitchell noted, “The Strategic Plan is the document that will help guide the ongoing development of programs and services the Band provides to its members. A collaborative approach in its development is essential in ensuring our members’ needs and vision are reflected in our work. I hope that members will participate in the process.”
The Strategic Plan will provide direction for Chief and Council, as well as staff, as they plan for future development in the areas of member services, brand and communications, culture and heritage, environmental stewardship, economic development and operational excellence.
Members who wish to contribute to the plan can choose to participate in-person at the sessions or by completing an on-line survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QFNStrategicPlan) . Written submissions will be accepted at our office in Corner Brook and individuals may also communicate directly with the consultant on the strategic plan by contacting Terry Hickey, Conach Consulting at 709-682-9026 or via email at terryhickey@conach.ca.
Consultations have bene scheduled in the following locations:
Port au Port January 14, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 50 Plus Leisure Centre in Port au Port West
Stephenville January 15, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM College of the North Atlantic Bay St. George Lecture Theatre
Corner Brook January 16, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Greennwood Inn
RCMP/Qalipu Youth Summer Employment Program
The Qalipu First Nation and the RCMP are working together to build a worthwhile work experience for aboriginal youth who are interested in a career in policing and/or justice. This exciting job opportunity will provide students with an insightful look at working with the RCMP as a possible career choice. This nine-week opportunity runs from June-August 2020. Successful applicants will attend a one-week training session at the RCMP Headquarters in St. John’s prior to being placed at the RCMP detachment closest to their location.
For the Summer of 2020, successful applicants are placed in locations near their hometown within the RCMP jurisdictions of Grand Falls, Stephenville, Deer Lake, Corner Brook, Gander, Bay Roberts and Harbour Grace.
The deadline to apply is February 21, 2020
For eligibility criteria, salary and other information including how to apply please visit www.qalipu.ca/youth-programs
Or contact:
Vickie MacDonald,
Employment Coordinator
vmacdonald@qalipu.ca
The Qalipu Cultural Foundation is pleased to announce it’s final language camp in the series for Apajitayek Mi’kmaq Language & Culture Camps. The dates for the final camp in Corner Brook are January 14th and 15th. The camp will be led buy Robert Bernard, Dean Simon and supported by Elder George Paul. In addition to basic conversation and introductory Mi’kmaw language course work, the two-day camp will offer participants a chance to engage in learning song, dance, history and stories about their Mi’kmaq ancestors.
The camp is free to attend and the number of seats are limited. Due to such popularity, the registration is for draw to participate. Successful participants will be notified by January 8th, 2020.
Please see the form below to apply and participate.
For more information please contact Nicole Travers at ntravers@qalipu.ca or call 634-4706.
Please take a few moments to participate in our Strategic Planning Survey. When the survey ends, we will draw for four $25 prizes.
Please check our Events Calendar (https://qalipu.ca/events/) for upcoming Strategic Planning Sessions. To give your feedback by email or phone, please contact planning consultant Terry Hickey at terryhickey@conach.ca or tel. 709-782-2180
Youth at the inaugural Mawita’jik Maljewe’jk youth gathering, held September 13-15 at West Haven in Pasadena, held an election to choose their youth representative seat at the Qalipu Council table. Jessica Saunders of Bishop’s Falls was elected and on November 16 attended her first meeting of Council.
At the meeting, Jessica made her oath of office and took part in a Swearing-in Ceremony.
Following the day, Jessica noted, “it was really awesome to hear from the Grand Council. They spoke a lot about the unity of our people which really resonated with me. I felt very accepted and I know that any ideas or input I have in the future will be openly received by the Council. I’m very excited to be this voice for the youth and the council seemed very happy to have me there, and everyone made a point to speak to me and shake my hand and welcome me which was awesome. I’m really looking forward to the future and the opportunities that will come with this!”
Welcome aboard, Jessica!
Representatives of the Mi’kmaq Grand Council, the traditional governing body of the Mi’kmaq people, recently visited Newfoundland to meet with the Qalipu Chief and Council, and community members. Grand Chief Norman Sylliboy, Grand Keptin Antle Denny, Keptin Stephen Augustine spent the weekend on the west coast including a meet and greet in Corner Brook, attendance at a Council meeting, a visit to the community of Flat Bay and a potluck feast and community gathering at the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre in St. Georges, the oldest recorded Mi’kmaq settlement on the island. Grand Council Keptin Mi’sel Joe, Chief of Miawpukek First Nation was also on hand during the visit.
Grand Keptin Antle Denny, spokesperson for the Grand Council, noted that the visit to Newfoundland was an acknowledgement of the extended Mi’kmaq family in Newfoundland, the eastern edge of the traditional Mi’kmaq territory, Mi’kma’ki. He said, “We were happy to visit and meet some of our relations, visit communities and acknowledge our extended Mi’kmaq family. Unity is the Mi’kmaq way.”
Building relationships with Mi’kmaq in Nova Scotia and throughout the broader Indigenous community has been an important priority for Chief Mitchell and Council. In 2018, the Band was formally recognized and accepted as a member of the Assembly of First Nations and in April of 2019, Qalipu was brought into the group known as the Atlantic Policy Congress. Relationship building with the Mi’kmaq Grand Council is another important step for the Band and the communities it represents.
Qalipu Chief Brendan Mitchell was pleased to welcome the Grand Council delegation, the first visit of its kind in the province. He said, “I’m extremely honoured and pleased that the Grand Council made this inaugural visit to Newfoundland to meet our Council and membership and visit our communities. It was an opportunity for us to share with them who we are and hear about the history of the Grand Council.”
Many community members came out to meet the special guests including Michelle Bennett who presented a special gift for Chief Stephen Augustine. She said, “I loved watching his creation story on YouTube, so I decided to paint what I was hearing. It doesn’t matter how many times I hear him tell the story, it’s powerful every single time.”
Chief Mitchell added that the Qalipu First Nation looks forward to a long-lasting and positive relationship going forward with the Grand Council.