It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our Director of Operations and friend, Rod Bennett, who passed away on Friday, September 4, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Rod’s loss is deeply felt throughout our whole Nation, our community, and by the many people whose lives he touched. To know Rod was to know a person whose positivity, strength, and compassion left a lasting impression on everyone he met. His infectious smile, unwavering optimism, and genuine care for others made him not only a loved and valued team member, but a true friend and inspiration.

As we move forward, we are committed to carrying Rod’s legacy with us in the work we do each day. We will strive to honour his example of love, commitment, compassion, and service to everyone he met. And, as we do, we will always remember his smile, his generosity, and the sincere way he cared for us all. His impact on our Nation and on each of us personally will not be forgotten.

Rod’s love and devotion to his family and community were evident in everything he did. He spoke often and proudly of those he held dear, and his commitment to serving others was reflected daily in his work and in the relationships he built.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Rod’s family, whom he loved so dearly, and to the many friends, colleagues, and community members who had the privilege of knowing him. We share your grief and celebrate his life that touched so many. May Rod’s memory continue to inspire us and may the legacy of his kindness and dedication live on through all those whose lives he enriched.

We will miss our dear friend, but hold close the assurance that he will join the ancestors guiding our way. Rod: Mikwite’lmultesnen Iapjiw—We Will Remember You.

On March 17, 2024, I was flying home at 3am and could not sleep. My head was full and my heart was heavy knowing that communities across the Turtle Island were impacted by harmful online hate speech. I was reminded of the resilience of my own family and our community and it resulted in picking up my laptop and writing this message.

Today, I am sharing this again, because we all need to be reminded of that strength that exists in us, the strength that was passed down for generations.

We are family and we must hold fast and stand tall.

Our culture is not a competition.

In my life I have had the privilege of getting to know many people from many places all over Turtle Island, Indigenous and non-Indigenous. I have heard so many stories of where folks come from and who raised them, their traumas and triumphs. I have never felt the need to challenge anyone regarding their journey; I was raised to respect that we are all different and that’s what makes us human.

As someone with mixed ancestry, like many folks I have met in Indigenous circles, I respect both our differences and our similarities. For us in Ktaqmkuk, our existence varies from community to community, or home to home. Each family dealt with their own forced assimilation in their own way. Being told they didn’t exist when Newfoundland joined confederation in 1949 left them to decide to either to hide in the shadows or to be punished for living their truth.

As people of what we now call Newfoundland, we are often referred to as resilient, not just the people but the vegetation, the wildlife and landscapes. It is an unforgiving place at times with our harsh weather and short growing seasons. We are rich in resources which is why we were one of the first points of European contact in North America, but for any settler, you weren’t likely to make it here without a good Indigenous guide.

My grandfather, Pearce, would be 107 years old today. He was a very stubborn man. Resilient, perhaps, but most definitely stubborn. In 1945, before Canada took us on as the last province, like other stubborn Mi’kmaq folks on the island, his father James, identified himself honestly as an “Indian”. In a time when we were the Dominion of Newfoundland, this was to no one’s advantage. My grandfather also refused his veteran’s pension because they did not accurately acknowledge which ship he worked on. Years later we found a handwritten letter from my grandmother, Sadie, pleading with Veterans Affairs to excuse my grandfather’s stubbornness as she had many mouths to feed. Despite the hardships that it caused his family to endure, he wasn’t going to deny his truth.

It couldn’t have been easy for her, for any of them. Many families were deeply traumatized by the denial of their Indigeneity. Priests were baptizing children as “child of savage”, jobs were exclusive to non-Indigenous people, folks were not living on reserves. If the existence of the 4 mapped reserves on the island or the Peace and Friendship Treaty that was signed on Codroy Island was acknowledged by the government they’d be responsible for us. Instead, folks were moved to places like Crow Gulch and other areas to keep people out of sight and mind.

Assimilation looks different in different cultures across the world, but the one thing we all have in common is the harm it’s caused. For us, the Indian Act has both hurt and helped us. We want to burn it, but it’s the individuals that twist the meaning of the act that harms us.

Our recognition as Status Indians was a triumph but also a curse and a further means of trauma for many. It has afforded opportunities for reconciliation but has caused community division. Why should the government get to decide who we are?

This path that we are on is one my grandfather could not have imagined in his lifetime, but like many of you, I’m walking this path with my head held high to honour the sacrifices of those that came before us. I will not deny any part of my heritage for anyone’s comfort. We are done with that. My experience may not look like yours, but it is my experience, and no one has the right to judge others.

If you cannot find your connection, if you do not know who you are and where you come from, you can respectfully find your way but always proceed with caution. Be mindful of the space you take and ensure it’s the path your ancestors paved for you. The government of what we know now as Canada has long determined our fates. There will never be enough Land Acknowledgments to heal the harm that has caused, but we can support each other with respect and love. We can protect spaces from exploitation, not by calling people out when we don’t know their stories, but by being strong and confident in our own histories. Those that do not belong will eventually expose themselves. Our focus needs to be on building, not wasting time in tearing down.

As your Chief, I will ask you all to be accountable to who you say you are. If you carry a status card or identify as Indigenous, you must do that with absolute confidence. Understand the responsibility attached to your heritage. Invest in your community, do not tear it down. Understand your history and honour it. Your family line resulted in that privilege and as much as it is a double-edged sword, you have an opportunity your ancestors did not, to be proud and to live out loud. We were hidden in shame too long; we are Mi’kmaq people of Mi’kmak’mi. We are not looking for approval from those trolling the internet, we only have ourselves to answer to. I go to bed each night knowing my Niskamij and Nukumij would be proud, that my parents and children are proud, and that is enough for me.

It’s time to build.

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time for Nations everywhere to celebrate culture, reflect on histories, traditions, and for us here Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) we celebrate the enduring contributions of our people as we look forward.

It is a vital time to reflect on how far we have come as a Nation. When Newfoundland joined Confederation in 1949, Premier Joey Smallwood stated that there were no Indigenous Peoples in the province. We know that was not true. Our ancestors have lived on these lands since time immemorial, maintaining our identities, culture, and deep connections to community despite generations of policies and attitudes that sought to deny or diminish our existence.

This year marks a meaningful milestone: 15 years since Qalipu First Nation’s official recognition. Looking ahead, 2027 will mark 20 years since the ratification vote that represented a significant step in our collective journey toward recognition. These milestones remind us that our progress was hard-won, achieved through the fierce perseverance, advocacy, and determination of those who came before us.

As we continue through this month and approach National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, I encourage all members and neighbours to take time to learn, listen, and engage with our shared history and culture. By honouring our past and working together in the present, we will continue building a stronger future for the generations of Qalipu Mi’kmaq yet to come.

Comprehensive Community Plan Important Dates Timeline: https://qalipu.ca/qalipu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Qalipu-Timeline.pdf

I want to acknowledge recent conversations and concerns related to Corner Brook–Bay of Islands Pride events, and the importance of ensuring all people feel safe, respected, and included in our communities.

We continue to see the impact that social media bullying, harassment, and hateful comments can have on individuals, families, and communities. Online spaces should not be places where people are made to feel unsafe, unwelcome, or targeted because of who they are. We all share a responsibility to treat one another with respect, both online and in person.

I stand with our friends, family, and community members in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and I support ongoing efforts that promote dignity, respect, and safety for all. I also acknowledge the support shown by local organizations, including the Corner Brook Status of Women and the City of Corner Brook, in standing with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

I encourage everyone to take part in Pride events happening throughout the month with Corner Brook–Bay of Islands Pride, as well as other Pride events taking place in your communities. These events are an opportunity to come together in a spirit of inclusion, acceptance, and community.

As Canada continues to strengthen protections against hate through measures such as the recently passed Bill C-9, we must also do our part to ensure our communities remain welcoming places where everyone can live, gather, and celebrate safely.

Corner Brook – Bay of Islands Pride: https://www.facebook.com/cbboipride/
Bill C-9: An Act to Amend the Criminal Code: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/pl/charter-charte/c9_2.html

As a member of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Fisheries Committee, I had the honour to welcome Chiefs, technicians, and AFN staff from across Canada to Corner Brook last week. For many, it was their first visit to the island, and I was proud to host them and show them around our beautiful territory.

Over our three days together, we reviewed the committee’s strategic plan and reaffirmed our commitment to proactive stewardship. At the heart of that work is the integration of traditional knowledge and science to support informed decision-making.

Our work strives to maintain our right to access traditional foods, which means sustaining our stocks through responsible harvesting so that our children and grandchildren can continue to benefit from what our ancestors passed down.

Our discussion extended to the future of our economies and how environmentally responsible, community-led wealth creation can support our people without compromising who we are.

These priorities are reflected across the full range of our water ecosystems, from offshore to inland and from eels to seals. Our committee works with AFN staff to bring issues to the Chiefs in Assembly. When these issues are supported, we enable the AFN Executive to raise our concerns with all levels of government and advocate for the protection of our resources for generations to come.

I am proud to serve as a member of the National Fisheries Committee. Each time we meet, whether virtually or in person, we learn from one another and deepen our understanding of our respective communities. I am grateful to everyone who travelled here and contributed to these important conversations. Together, we are helping build a future in which our fisheries remain strong, our rights are upheld, and our communities continue to thrive.

 

Art has a way of bringing people together and reminding us not only of the past, but who we are today. This week, I’d like to give a shout-out to the Mi’kmaq artists that continue to make important contributions to our communities through many forms of artistic expression. From music and literature, skin marking and beadwork to visual and performance arts, we are honoured to celebrate and elevate the artists in our community.

If you have been by our Corner Brook offices lately, you have likely seen the beautiful new murals that were recently installed. Local Mi’kmaq artists, Kelsey Street and Nelson White, were selected through a proposal process, and we are so proud to display their beautiful work.

It has been almost 15 years since Qalipu First Nation was federally recognized, and even though most of today’s council was not there at the start, we carry the same oath; to protect our culture, our lands, and waters, and to keep our Nation moving forward.

Our beginning was complicated, and the challenges have not disappeared, but our people have always found a way through. First Nations across this county we now call Canada, were never expected to endure, yet we are still here. Still rising. Still holding on to who we are. We continue to make meaningful progress, even when the road isn’t easy.

If you have the opportunity to visit the murals on Church Street or see other public artworks or gallery pieces our many talented artists here in Ktaqmkuk, take a moment to notice the skill and the stories they carry. In the coming weeks we will share information about the official mural unveiling on June 21 for National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Relevant Links:
Artist Nelson White: https://www.nelsonwhiteart.com/
Artist Kelsey Street: https://www.instagram.com/mossandneedle/
Writers at Woody Point: https://www.writersatwoodypoint.com/
The Rooms: https://therooms.ca/
Business and Arts NL: https://businessandartsnl.com/
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council: https://artsnl.ca/

This week, I joined a delegation representing Newdock, Qalipu First Nation, Membertou First Nation, Horizon Naval Engineering, and Genoa Design International in Ottawa to advance discussions with federal departments, agencies, ministers, and Members of Parliament regarding Project Oqwatn (Ohk-wah-den), meaning ‘North’, our expansion plan for Newdock.

This visit strengthened national awareness of our dockyard’s importance to both Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador. Federal departments clearly recognize the growing pressure on east coast marine infrastructure as both naval and Coast Guard fleets grow. Project Oqwatn positions our province to meet those demands while creating long-term economic benefit here at home.

Canada’s Coast Guard and Navy are expanding their fleets to support Arctic sovereignty. These larger, longer vessels require places to berth for emergency repairs, maintenance, and vessel life extension. With a recognized shortage of ship repair facilities across the country, Newdock stands ready to help meet that national need.

Newdock is 95% Indigenous-owned, making it a key asset in fulfilling Canada’s commitment to Indigenous economic reconciliation. It demonstrates how Newfoundland and Labrador can lead the country in building strong, future-focused Indigenous partnerships in the marine and defence sectors.

For our province, the expansion of Newdock means high value jobs that align with Canada’s apprenticeship targets and the expanded capacity to support major provincial initiatives such as Bull Arm and Churchill Falls, among others.

We look forward to further discussions with both the Provincial and Federal governments so that we can collectively meet the needs of a nation that looks increasingly to its oceans for security, prosperity, and sovereignty. Project Oqwatn is more than an expansion: It is a statement of confidence in Newfoundland and Labrador, in Indigenous economic leadership, and in Canada’s ability to invest in and strengthen its marine capacity.

Earth Week offers an important moment to reflect on our shared responsibility to honour and protect Mother Earth, our home. It felt especially meaningful that this week, members of our team and I had the opportunity to attend the 58th National Congress on Housing and Homelessness in St. John’s.

I was invited to participate by Regional Chief Mitchell as he is the Assembly of First Nations portfolio holder for Housing, Homelessness, and Infrastructure. Chief Mitchell continues to be deeply engaged in addressing housing challenges facing First Nations communities across the country.

These national conversations give us the space to share the realities and priorities of our communities while learning from innovative approaches emerging in other regions. We also connected with our provincial partners to reaffirm our shared commitment to increasing housing across the island. We are stronger when we build together.

Housing is connected to everything, health, language, ceremony, family, and community identity. This gathering brought together housing leaders and community partners from across Canada, all united in ensuring safe, affordable, and sustainable housing for the people we serve.

The focus on sustainability felt especially significant during Earth Week, reminding us that housing solutions must not only meet the needs of our people but also respect and protect the lands and waters that sustain us.

Our team is committed to advocating for affordable, accessible housing solutions that reflect the needs of our people, and to advancing approaches that honour our responsibility to care for Mother Earth for generations to come.

Housing & Homelessness