The Government of Canada issued this newsletter to provide Indigenous peoples with information related to Bills C-68 and C-69, including engagement opportunities on regulatory and policy development.

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The Qalipu First Nation wishes to advise its membership that effective April 18, 2019 the Ward Councilor for the Corner Brook Ward, Brian Dicks, has been granted a thirty day leave of absence and will not be available for regular duties of the Ward Councilor.

A Corner Brook Ward meeting took place on March 5, 2019 and will occur again as usual in the Fall.

The Corner Brook Membership Orientation session will go ahead as planned 7:00 PM on April 24 at Bennett Hall-Masonic Hall with the support of staff and other members of the Council in the western region.

This leave of absence is supported by the Chief and Council.

Members from the Corner Brook Ward are encouraged to contact their Vice Chief Keith Cormier or Chief Brendan Mitchell if they have questions, concerns, or wish to connect during this absence from office for the Corner Brook Ward Councilor.

In 2012, Parliament approved changes to Navigable Waters Protection Act and changed its name to the Navigation Protection Act. The changes came into force in 2014. The Government of Canada promised to review these changes, as well as restore protections and introduce modern safeguards.

In February 2018, the Government of Canada introduced proposed legislation Bill C-69. The proposed changes to the Navigation Protection Act in Bill C-69 would create a new Canadian Navigable Waters Act (CNWA).

This new Act aims to better protect the public right to travel on all navigable waters in Canada by:

• expanding the Act to regulate major works (for example, dams and bridges) and obstructions on all navigable waters
• introducing a fuller definition of “navigable water”
• creating a more inclusive process to add navigable waters to the list – known as the Schedule
• considering cumulative effects on navigation of multiple projects in a navigable water
• introducing a new public resolution process to address Canadians’ navigation concerns before a work is built

It will also allow Transport Canada to engage more closely with Indigenous peoples to:

• create new agreements and arrangements for how we administer the Act (monitoring, enforcement)
• ensure Indigenous knowledge is considered and protected
• explicitly include transport or travel to exercise Indigenous rights in the definition of “navigable water”
• ensure that potential adverse impacts on Indigenous rights are considered before making a decision under the Act

Lastly, the new Act aims to create more accessible and transparent processes, including:

• a new online registry with information about projects and regulatory approvals
• a requirement for owners to provide advance notification for works on any navigable water
• a requirement that owners provide opportunities for early engagement for works on any navigable water

Qalipu First Nation is working with Transport Canada to engage Indigenous peoples in the consultation process to strengthen awareness and gather views related to the proposed changes to the Act.

For more information on the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, the handbook can be viewed at: https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/themes/environment/conservation/environmental-reviews/nav-handbook-e.pdf

If you have any questions or comments, contact Alyssa Hunter at Qalipu’s Natural Resources Department. Email: ahunter@qalipu.ca Phone: 634-1500

All members of the Band are invited to attend an upcoming Orientation Session, particularly new members who may have a lot of questions about what it means to be a member of the Qalipu First Nation.

Orientation Sessions will feature a general overview of all programs, services and benefits, and we will have subject matter experts available to answer questions on Education, Health, Indian Registration, and to share plans on the upcoming Community Planning that will take place across all Wards. Ward Councilors and the Central Vice Chief will be on hand to meet with you as well.

Members in Central Newfoundland attending this session will be the first to receive their copy of the new Membership Information Guide—a colorful and easy to read quick reference guide to every program, service and benefit that is available to you as a member of the Band.

We hope to see you there!

Sunday March 17

Grand Falls, Mount Peyton Hotel, 2:00:-4:00 PM
Gander, Lions Club, 6:30-8:30 PM

Monday March 18

Gander Bay Community Centre 6:00-8:00 PM

Western Newfoundland members please keep an eye out for an announcement regarding the western leg of the tour! Coming soon.

Qalipu First Nation is pleased to announce that we now have support in place to assist applicants with understanding, and responding to, the self-identification reassessment letters that were recently sent out to applicants previously denied on the self-identification criterion.

This reassessment is the outcome of a court case, Wells et al. v. Canada, the result of which was a change to the timeframe within which self-identification documents had to be dated, and addition of the right to an appeal for applicants denied on the self-identification criterion.   Recipients of these letters which were mailed on January 31, 2019 now have the opportunity to submit additional self-identification documents or indicate the documents on their file that fit within the new timeframe.

The deadline to respond to the reassessment letters is May 13, 2019.

Did you receive a letter? Are you wondering if you should have? Are you confused about what the letter means and how to respond?

Our support team is now in place to help.  Please reach a member of the team to set an appointment in an office near you, or to talk through your questions over the phone.  Please see below for team contact information:

The next meeting of Council will be held at 9 am on Saturday, March 9, 2019 in the Qalipu Community Room at 1 Church Street, Corner Brook.

To register, please contact Tina Diamond at 634-5111 or email council@qalipu.ca with your Full Name and Band Reg #.

Qalipu First Nation is pleased to affirm its commitment to community values, openness, transparency and ensuring engagement of all our members regardless of their geographic location by way of establishing a Communications Committee.

The Committee was established following the recent election and consists of Ward Councilors Odelle Pike (Chair) and Ivan J. White along with staff support from the Communications Officer, Alison White and the Communications and Computing Specialist, Ryan Matthews.  Together, this team will work toward the development and implementation of communication policies and strategies that enhance community inclusion and engagement, ensure a continued focus on the importance of strong internal and external communications among our staff, Council and communities, and explore new ways of both reaching out and listening to our people.

The Committee is currently seeking a Member-at-Large to join the team. This unique opportunity will give hands-on access and input into the way the Band handles communications now and into the future and will help guide the work of the Communications Committee.

The ideal candidate is a Band member living in the province with a background in marketing and communications and five years’ experience.  If you are passionate about communications and want to contribute your knowledge as a volunteer on this committee, please see below for an Expression of Interest and apply by noon on March 15, 2019.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Communications Committee
Member-at-Large
Expression of Interest

Overview

A Communications Committee was established by Qalipu in November 2018 in order to provide enhanced focus on community values, openness, transparency and ensuring engagement of all our members regardless of their geographic location.

The Committee consists of two Ward Councilors and two staff resource people and is seeking to bring one Member-at-Large to the team.

The Committee meets monthly either in person or by video conference.

Our Mandate

Help to ensure Band communications reflect the values of our communities and promote our mission and vision.

Provide support, advice and guidance for Band internal and external communications.

Develop policies that help to ensure consistent, reliable, respectful and inclusive communications.

Propose strategic priorities for communications and work to ensure communications are timely, consistent, well co-ordinated and responsive to the diverse needs of our members.

Promote openness and transparency in governance and operations, ensuring that all audiences are well informed of Band activities, programs and services.

 Roles and Responsibilities of a Member-at Large Committee Member

• Participate in Committee Meetings in person or by video conference.
• Maintain engagement and involvement by responding to Committee emails between meetings to weigh in on decisions, communications products and activities.
• Work collaboratively with Committee to ensure team-based and positive outcomes.
• Represent a membership perspective.
• Contribute skills, knowledge and experience toward accomplishing the goals and objectives of the Communications Committee.
• Demonstrate respect for Mi’kmaq community values.
  Adhere to a Commitment of Confidentiality.
• Work on a volunteer basis with travel and per diems provided.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Has marketing and/or communication background with five years’ experience
• Is a member of the Band
• Is a resident of Newfoundland
• Must be able to travel within Newfoundland
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Must be willing to sign a Commitment of Confidentiality
• Must have an understanding of Indigenous culture and ceremony
• Must undergo a code of conduct check

If you are interested in this unique opportunity to work with the Qalipu Band, please send your resume and cover letter to communications@qalipu.ca by noon on March 15, 2019.

If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Alison White at 709-634-5163
Qalipu First Nation reserves the right to refuse any and all applications.

College of the North Atlantic is offering a 13-week Skills Link “Ready to Work” program. This program
includes 6 weeks of paid classroom training and 7 weeks of paid on-the-job training. Students are
also eligible for a $150 Completion Bonus upon successful attendance and participation.

This program will provide students the opportunity to improve their employability skills with
Professional and Personal Development seminars, Job Search Skills, and Introduction to Computers.
This program will help students recognize and build personal management skills required to transition
to the workforce. Students will become certified in Emergency First Aid, WHMIS 2015, and Back Injury
Prevention. Students will have the opportunity to explore career choices, develop job search tools such
as a resume and cover letter, and participate in a supported job search. Students will then participate in
an on-the-job training session for at least 24 hours per week over a period of 7 weeks.

Entrance Requirements: Students must be:
• between the ages of 15 and 30 (inclusive) at the time of intake/selection;
• facing barriers to employment;
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons who have been granted refugee status in Canada;
• legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations; and
• not in receipt of Employment Insurance (EI) benefits.
* Open to applicants who have or have not completed high school and meet the requirements listed above.

Start Date: May 27, 2019**
Location: Bay St. George campus
Registration Deadline: April 1, 2019

**This program will be offered pending sufficient enrollment.

For further information, please contact:
Gail Dober at 709 643 7749, gail.dober@cna.nl.ca or
Deborah Jennings at 709 643 7825, deborah.jennings@cna.nl.ca