January has brought its share of winter weather, and as the season continues, so do our concerns regarding the MSC Baltic. We sincerely appreciate the feedback and questions we continue to receive from members. As we remain in active communication with MSC and the Canadian Coast Guard, your concerns help to identify a responsible path forward. As expected, weather conditions have limited response efforts, and this remains a significant factor in how the situation is unfolding.

We have not yet met with MSC officials in 2026; however, our December meetings were productive and have left us optimistic that the year ahead will bring meaningful, collaborative progress. We remain committed to being a strong voice in this important conversation with MSC and all stakeholders, ensuring that the vessel’s removal is carried out as safely as possible. Our priorities remain clear: protecting the environment, creating meaningful employment opportunities for local people, and ensuring that everyone affected by this situation has a voice in the process.

While confirmed information is limited, we will be fully engaged. The protection of our water, environment, and communities will always be our top priority. We will share updates as verified information becomes available, and we appreciate members for raising concerns and staying involved.

As we welcome a new year, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes for good health and happiness to all our members, families, and communities.

I also want to remind everyone to take extra care in the weeks ahead. This time of year, often brings an increase in seasonal illnesses and other viruses. Many of us, including our staff and myself, have been affected. It is a clear reminder that we all share a responsibility in keeping one another safe.

Please take the necessary precautions, stay home when you are unwell, and look out for those around you. Small acts of kindness and extra caution can make a significant difference in protecting our elderly, our families, and our community.

May the year ahead bring good health to you all and present opportunities for our Nation to thrive and prosper.

Happy New Year to all.

Last week in the Senate, during discussions regarding amendments to Bill S-2, Senator Judy White questioned the legitimacy of Qalipu First Nation members, remarks that are now part of the national record and circulating widely. This is not the first time she has used her office to cast doubt on our people, and the harm is magnified by the influence of her position.

Qalipu First Nation members deserve respect and unity, not division, especially from someone who holds the same membership card as every other member. Senator White herself is a Qalipu First Nation member, with many in her own community of Flat Bay also part of our Nation. Her remarks raise troubling questions about whether she is undermining not only our legitimacy, but her own and that of her community.

It was reassuring to see 68 Senators vote in favour of amendments to Bill S-2, approaching the issue from a broad national and regional perspective. Their leadership reflects unity, fairness, and accountability, in contrast to Senator White’s misuse of her platform to sow division and lateral violence against Qalipu First Nation’s members.

For our Nation, this issue is not about enrolment reform, it is about the dignity and legitimacy of our members. Qalipu First Nation members applied in good faith under rules designed and repeatedly rewritten by Canada in collaboration with the Federation of Newfoundland Indians. Criticism should be directed at the colonial registration system and federal control over Indigenous identity, not at Mi’kmaq families who followed the process laid out for them.

As a Nation, we remain steadfast in defending the dignity of our members and in working to reform the colonial systems that have caused harm and division. In doing so, we are safeguarding the hard‑won recognition that was lost in 1949 and took decades to reclaim, when Newfoundland joined Canada. We will continue to stand united, protect the integrity of Qalipu First Nation, and advocate for fairness, respect, and recognition for all our members, today and for generations to come.

More information on Bill S-2 can be found here: https://www.ubcic.bc.ca/indian_act_second_generation_cut_off

On November 22, Council held our most recent meeting, marking nearly a year since we were sworn in. From the start, we committed to accountability and serving our members with dedication. It was rewarding to see the many ways Council has engaged with members, often going beyond expectations. I am proud to serve alongside the representatives you elected and am hopeful for the years ahead.

As we reflected on our work, one common theme emerged, the frustrations and misconceptions we hear about programs and enrollment. I want to take a moment to clarify.

Like other Nations across Canada, we administer programs that support health, including Jordan’s Principle, housing repair, education and other supports. When funding is provided, it comes with contracts that include strict guidelines and parameters. We know this can feel limiting, particularly when members don’t meet the criteria. Still, we do our best to accommodate as many people as possible. Each program is reviewed by committees of staff, Council members, and community representatives, then passed to our finance committee and, if feasible, recommended to Council for approval. We also regularly review programs to improve their success.

It’s important to understand that program guidelines are not created by Council, they are set by funding agencies, and we are required to follow them. This includes enrollment.

As with all federally recognized bands, enrollment is determined by the federal government, with criteria set by Canada. Our role is to assist members with applications and provide guidance where we can.

We understand these processes can be difficult, and we share your frustrations as our families are also affected. That is why we continue to advocate strongly with all levels of government and pursue economic development opportunities to grow our own-source revenue. This will allow us to expand services beyond the limits set by the funders and reach more members.

Our Council remains committed to open communication and transparency. We have discussed future plans to host virtual and in-person engagement sessions with members to focus on topics that can best inform you. By clarifying program operations, we hope to reduce misunderstandings and make services easier to access. Thank you for your trust and engagement. Your feedback is vital to our growth as a Nation.

 

This past week, I had the honour of joining the Assembly of First Nations National Fisheries Committee during the International Indigenous Salmon Peoples’ Gathering. Over three days, Indigenous leaders from around the world came together to share both science and traditional knowledge, strengthening our collective voice in the stewardship of salmon.

Together, participants drafted and endorsed the Karasjohka Declaration, a powerful statement affirming the governance and rights that Indigenous Peoples hold with respect to salmon. This declaration reflects our shared responsibility to protect these vital resources for generations to come.

Within the Fisheries Committee, we advanced important work on draft resolutions for the upcoming Chiefs Assembly. These included, land fisheries management, the five-year review of the Fisheries Act, and a resolution I was proud to bring forward, addressing trade barriers faced by First Nations seal products due to the European Commission’s ban within the European Union.

As First Nations, we have never surrendered our inherent rights to hunt, fish, or gather. It is our duty to continue working collectively to safeguard these rights and the resources that sustain our people.

Our lands and waters remain under threat from climate change and poorly managed resource development. Closer to home, we are still awaiting answers and a safe resolution to the MSC Baltic III, the grounded container ship in Cedar Cove. We will continue pressing for action and working with all levels of government and the Canadian Coast Guard to ensure proper mitigation measures are taken to protect our waters and the ecosystems that depend on them.

I want to reassure you that protecting our environment, our food sources, and our communities remains at the heart of our work. Although we face many barriers along the way, together, we can protect what is sacred for the generations yet to come.

This past week, we came together to honour Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day. These days remind us of the courage and sacrifice of all who defended our lands and freedoms, especially Indigenous veterans, whose contributions have too often gone unrecognized. Their dedication strengthens our communities and inspires future generations.

I also want to update you on the situation with the MSC Baltic III, the container ship grounded near Cedar Cove. Recent reports indicate that severe storms have caused structural damage to the vessel. Salvage and cleanup efforts continue, and we are monitoring the situation closely. While weather has slowed progress, most of the heavy fuel oil has now been removed. We continue to expect MSC to fully include our Nation in the response and take immediate, comprehensive action to address its impact.

We are not alone in pressing for accountability and action. The Canadian Coast Guard has been providing consistent updates, and we continue to receive strong support from Minister Lela Evans, Provincial Minister of Indigenous Affairs and Reconciliation; Minister Joanne Thompson, Federal Fisheries Minister; Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief Brendan Mitchell; Traditional Chief Misel Joe; and Chief Brad Benoit of Miawpukek First Nation. We share our community members’ concerns, and we are demanding clear answers and a concrete plan to safely remove this vessel from traditional fishing grounds without further delay. Together, we are advocating for Indigenous participation at every stage of the response to ensure that local knowledge, community priorities, and cultural values are respected. Our Environment and Natural Resources team is working with DFO and other environmental partners to monitor the coastlines.

We will continue to hold MSC accountable, push for decisive action, and ensure Indigenous voices remain at the centre of this process.

This year’s federal budget brings a mix of good and challenging news for Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. We know the government is working to manage spending, which has led to a small two per cent decrease at federal Indigenous departments, a much smaller reduction than the 15 per cent cuts seen in other areas. Our key programs remain fully supported, giving our members peace of mind.

These reductions are aimed at improving efficiency and reducing duplication, not eliminating essential services. There are encouraging signs that future decisions will involve Indigenous governments more directly, giving us greater input on how priorities and outcomes are set.

While this budget signals a time of change, it also offers a chance to strengthen relationships, enhance accountability, and ensure Indigenous-led outcomes guide the path forward for our Nation.

Separately, we want to address recent rumors about a re-application process. Some members have reached out with concerns about information circulating online. Please be assured that these claims are not true. As always, we encourage everyone to rely on official Qalipu communications for accurate updates, and we will continue keeping our members informed directly.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to our members and our communities. By working together and staying engaged, we will ensure that the decisions made today lead to lasting benefits and opportunities for our Nation.

This week, I had the privilege of attending the 2025 Atlantic Indigenous-led Energy Symposium. Since its first modest gathering in 2022, the symposium has quickly grown into a sold-out event hosting over four hundred participants. It brought together First Nations leaders, knowledge keepers, youth, energy innovators, and government officials from across our territories to network and share experiences.

A personal highlight was connecting with several members of our Nation who are already doing great work in the energy sector and are passionate about contributing to our community.

This year’s theme, Protecting Mother Earth, Powering Future Generations, inspired meaningful discussions about our shared values and responsibilities. Throughout the symposium, I joined several sessions and listened to powerful accounts reflecting a growing shift in how provincial governments and industry developers view and value Indigenous leadership.

There is a growing, long-overdue awareness that true progress requires authentic partnership with Indigenous leadership, moving beyond colonial frameworks. Our voices are vital in shaping decisions that define success, not by profit margins but by sustainability. Profit can only follow once we ensure that the development aligns with our duty to the land and to future generations.

As our new provincial government takes shape, we look forward to working in the spirit of collaboration to play our critical role in the future of our unceded, un-surrendered lands. Our Economic Development team is undergoing significant changes as we recognize the need to approach each opportunity with a deep understanding of our Nation’s values. Soon, we hope to welcome a new Chief Operating Officer who will collaborate closely with our Council and spend time in our communities, listening to members and learning about your priorities. This feedback will guide our path forward and foster shared ownership in what we build together.

Together, we must continue to protect the land, waters, and air, not only as our sacred responsibility, but as the foundation for a thriving future.

This week, I had the honor of attending an event hosted by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. It was an important opportunity to share our work in environmental stewardship and to highlight the vital role of partnerships in protecting our lands and waters. Strong relationships and collaboration are essential to achieving shared goals.

Together with the Nature Conservancy, our work at Charlie’s Place demonstrates the power of collaboration. Having signed a MOU in 2024, we are committed to protecting and conserving this area, long used by generations of Beothuk and Mi’kmaq people for traditional purposes, and still holding a deep cultural and spiritual significance.

I also recently met with key stakeholders, including the FFAW, the Fur Institute of Canada, and the Seals and Sealing Network. These conversations allowed us to strengthen connections, share expertise, and work to foster relationships that support the stewardship and monitoring of our lands and waters.

Meaningful partnerships require time, trust, and consistent engagement. By working closely with others, we can combine knowledge, share resources, and create initiatives that are inclusive, respectful, and effective for our communities. Meeting with these organizations reinforced that partnerships are not just beneficial, they are essential.

Together, we can preserve biodiversity, protect cultural heritage, empower our people, and build sustainable solutions for generations to come. I am proud of the work our Nation continues to lead and remain committed to fostering partnerships that support environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community well-being. Through collaboration and shared purpose, we can achieve lasting and meaningful impact.