Benoit 1st Nation would like to announce that the following people have been nominated for the Band Council:

Jasen Benwah aka Penwa Jes’n – Chief
Barbra Benoit McAlinden – Vice Chief
Conrad Benoit – Treasurer
Secretary – Myra Benoit
Womens Director – Lee Kerfont
Elders Director – Mary Phyllis Benoit Young
Youth Director – Tracy Jesso

Since only one person was nominated for each position each are Elected by Acclamation for the 3 year term and no election is required. Congratulations everyone.

The following people have been nominated as Band Council Committee Directors:

Public Works Director – Stephen Benoit
Heritage Park Director – George Benoit,
Program Director – Delina Petit Pas
Public Relations Director – Lory Benoit Jesso
Elders Council – Godfrey Benoit,
Elders Council – Jerome Benoit,
Elders Council – Wallace Cornect,
Elders Council – Edna M Benoit..

Congratulations everyone. Thanks to Edna Wheeler for being our Nomination Officer. Thanks to all those who came out to nominate people and for all the support from the membership. Thanks to all those who have volunteered to serve on the Band Council and on our Committees. Together we can do even more great things in the coming years.

Swearing -in will take place at the next Band Council Meeting.

Photo: Band member witnesses on hand for the nomination announcement.

In 1884 the Canadian government amended the Indian Act to support the creation of Residential schools. Over 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Metis children were forced to attend these schools in an effort to westernize them. Throughout their time at residential school many indigenous students faced widespread abuse and neglect.  It was until 1996 that the last residential school closed its doors.

In an article titled September 30: Orange Shirt Day in Canada, author Lorise Simon says, “Orange shirt day is a national movement that officially began in 2013.  In actuality this movement began in 1973, when a six-year-old Phyllis Webstad entered the St. Joseph Mission Residential School, outside of Williams Lake, British Columbia.  Phyllis’ grandmother had taken her to buy a new outfit for her first day of residential school, part of her outfit was an orange shirt, and on the first day of school she wore the shirt with pride.  Phyllis’ shirt was taken from her.  Children who attended residential school were stripped of their clothing and made to wear school uniforms.  During Phyllis’ experience in residential school she did not believe that her feelings mattered or that anyone cared for her or other children that went to school with her.  Phyllis now feels strongly that her feelings do matter and people do care because of what the colour orange symbolized.”

Show support for those who attended residential schools across Canada. As September 30^th falls on a Saturday this year, organizations are encouraged to show their support on Friday, September 29^th. I encourage everyone who wishes to participate to wear orange next Friday and show your support! For more information visit http://www.orangeshirtday.org/about.html

Simon, Lorise “September 30: Orange Shirt Day in Canada” Mi’kmaq Maliseet Nations News, August 2016, pg. 5

The Annual General Assembly for the Qalipu First Nation will take place on September 30, 2017 at 1:30 PM at the Holiday Inn Express in Deer Lake.  All members are invited to attend and are reminded that their registration number will be required to sign in.

The 2016-2017 Annual Report is now available to view on our website.  Please click here to view.

Note: Print copies will be available at the AGA.

The Corner Brook Aboriginal Youth Group invites all aboriginal and non-aboriginal people ages 9-17 to attend our weekly meetings on Thursday nights, starting September 14,  from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.  Meetings are held at the Qalipu Community Room, 1 Church Street, Corner Brook.

Anyone interested in learning about all aspects of our traditional Mi’kmaq culture and to have fun please register.  For additional information please contact Lorraine Stone at 634-2221 or email guiderstone@hotmail.com or dianngeorge@hotmail.com

Please be advised that the Qalipu First Nation will hold its Annual General Assembly (AGA) to discuss the activities of the Band for the fiscal year of 2016-2017.  The AGA will be held on September 30 at 1:30 pm in Deer Lake at the Holiday Inn Express.  All members are invited to attend and are reminded that their registration number will be required to sign in.  The Annual Report will be published on our website on September 15 and copies of the report will also be made available at the meeting.

Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended March 31, 2017 are now online.  Please click here to view.

(CORNER BROOK, NL) – August 24, 2017 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) is pleased to announce a three year financial commitment by Crosbie Group Limited towards the Corner Brook Region Junior Police Academy.

For over a decade, the RNC Corner Brook Region Junior Police Academy has provided a unique camping experience for children aged 9-12 years old through a four day/three night camp held in Gros Morne National Park.  Through the Junior Police Academy, the RNC has fostered stronger and healthier relationships between the participants and the police by breaking down historical barriers with youth from the Crestview Community and the Qalipu First Nation.

Today Crosbie Group Limited presented the RNC with a cheque for $11,000 for the 2018 Junior Police Academy.  Furthermore they have generously committed to providing financial contributions for the 2019 and 2020 Junior Police Academy.  This contribution by Crosbie Group Limited provides the financial security to ensure the continuation of the Junior Police Academy for the next three years in the Corner Brook Region.

 

Cst. Shawna Park #659
Media Relations

Corner Brook Region
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Twitter: @RNC_PoliceNL
Facebook: RoyalNewfoundlandConstabulary
709-637-4100

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is currently seeking nominations for its Annual Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards.  Recognizing youth for their achievements is a great way to build self-esteem; and more importantly, it establishes role models so others can see that their goals are tangible.

 

Please click here for the Award Application Form which outlines the criteria and selection process.

 

On October 14th, 2017, there will be a silent auction of fine art and craft as part of our dinner fundraising event in support of The Qalipu Cultural Foundation. The Qalipu Cultural Foundation was formed in 2014 to support Mi’kmaq culture in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Foundation exists to ensure cultural documentation, and promote the involvement of youth and Elders in cultural activities within the Band. We strive to inspire our people to proudly embrace their heritage, to empower them to continue the traditions of our ancestors and restore the spirit of Mi’kmaq culture in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Art is a conversation starter, a focus for discussion and often a display of pride that allows us to demonstrate who we were, who we are and who we plan to become. By supporting this Event with your fine arts and crafts you are supporting your community.

We are inviting artists of aboriginal heritage to submit traditional and contemporary pieces of fine art and crafts for silent auction to help raise funds for this event. Artists will have the option of receiving 50% of the final selling price of the work or donating the entire amount and receiving a charitable tax receipt.

If you are interested in submitting work, please email images of the work you would like to submit along with the title, medium, size, reserve, retail value and brief statement to:

mblanchard@qalipu.ca

Deadline: 4 p.m., September 15, 2017

If your work is selected, it must be presentation ready (i.e., works on paper should be matted at the very least). We are organizing a drop-off location for works by artists on the East Coast.

For further information, please contact:

 

 

Mitch Blanchard
Resource Coordinator
Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band
Qalipu Cultural Foundation
709-634-8046

The next regular meeting of Council will be held on August 26 at 9:00 AM in Corner Brook at the Qalipu Community Room.  To register please contact Mabel MacDonald at 634-5111 or email mmacdonald@qalipu.ca

Qalipu First Nation is pleased to announce that it will be offering the Dancers and Drummers of the New Dawn program at the Bay St. George Cultural Center from August 28^th to 31^st. This program will help raise awareness on the issues of violence and bullying through a mix of educational presentations, cultural activities, and teachings in drumming and dance. In turn, youth will be provided with opportunities to gain valuable knowledge, engage in cultural practices, form friendships, and feel empowered.

Background

• DDOND began as a concept to empower youth to become advocates for healthy relationships. This would be achieved through a combination of information sessions, cultural teachings and lessons in dancing and drumming.
• Last summer, the first phase of this program, DOND, was implemented. Girls, ages 11-15*, learned valuable information about violence and bullying, participated in cultural activities and learned fancy shawl dancing.
• This summer, we have added a drumming component to the program and are inviting applicants of any gender to register. We also hope to extend the program from two days to four, providing more opportunities for learning and interaction among our youth participants.

 

To express your interest in participating in this program, please call Sarah Leah Hindy at 634-9653 or email shindy@qalipu.ca.  To access the registration form, please click here