Happy 5^th Anniversary Qalipu First Nation!

Today we celebrate the anniversary of our Band, established five years ago on September 22, 2011.  In the years since our inception we have grown and journeyed together as a community.  We have worked toward common goals of rediscovering and sharing our culture, and building a bright future for our Nation.

Looking back over these past five years we have much to be proud of:

• Our new Council has been working hard to be actively engaged with our membership—all our regular meetings of Council are now open to membership and include an opportunity for them to ask questions. We have also worked to increase the number of Ward meetings that are held each year. Town Hall meetings are now being organized in all of our Wards for this Fall.
• Our new Council has purchased buildings in Grand Falls-Windsor and in Stephenville. In addition to the recent establishment of the Qalipu Community Room in our existing building at 3 Church Street, Corner Brook, we are also working toward establishing community rooms at each of the new buildings to better serve our members in Central and Bay St-George.
• We lobbied and secured funding for the hiring of a much needed new position to administer the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy. Through matching the funding provided by DFO, Qalipu has recently hired two new River Guardians.
• We have recently established an Urban Reserve Planning Committee and have been working hard toward realization of this shared vision for the future.
• We currently provide employment for 33 full time employees, 10 term employees and 12 seasonal employees.
• We have provided assistance to more than 600 members with wage subsidies, self-employment assistance and youth employment programs.
• $39.4 million dollars has been paid out in education funding to thousands of members for post-secondary diploma, degree and masters programs.
• The Qalipu Cultural Foundation was developed to support cultural documentation, and promote the involvement of youth and elders in cultural activities including educational outreach, celebration of special days and the support of other organizations who are working to bring cultural offerings to the people.
• Nearly $52 million dollars in health benefits have been paid out to our membership. We continue to pursue continued growth in this area.  We are currently set to launch administration of the Medical Transportation Benefit for all Wards and for members living in Atlantic Canada.  This initiative will improve the services and speed up reimbursement processing time for our members.
• We have begun to move forward on the first year of our five-year Tourism Strategy with the hiring of a Tourism Development Officer. Implementation of the strategy will lead to sustainable aboriginal tourism in our nine Wards.
• We administer 13 inshore fishing licenses and one 65-foot enterprise, manage real estate, and have developed a number of companies. Each of these endeavors are earning own-source revenue to help the Band build for its future.
• We have developed many beneficial partnerships in terms of business development and community involvement.

Chief, Council and Qalipu Staff are committed to ensuring the growth, effectiveness and prosperity of Qalipu on behalf of our People, our Communities, and our Nation.

Kwe’

How has the summer passed by so quickly? We are into September, a new school year and fall is just around the corner.  I hope that each of you have taken every opportunity to enjoy the fine weather and that you were lucky enough to spend time with family and friends doing the things that you love to do.  Personally, the memories of being on the river fishing, the smell of barbecued dinner, and the vibrant colours and people at our powwows and other special gatherings this summer, will be something I call on time and again to get me through the colder seasons.

This summer, I was extremely honoured to participate in the Flat Bay Powwow in July during which I was presented with an Eagle Staff by the Bay St. George Cultural Revival Committee.  Many thanks to the organizing committee, Chief Liz Lasaga and the community of Flat Bay for their support of this 10^th anniversary event, and the hospitality shown to the performers, vendors and visitors alike.  The Flat Bay Powwow is getting to be one of the largest and most popular events of its kind here in Atlantic Canada.

I wish also to extend sincere thanks and gratitude on behalf of Qalipu Council to the organizing committee of the Cultural Mawio’mi, under the leadership of chairperson and Vice Chief Western Erica Samms-Hurley, held in Benoit’s Cove this summer.  Special thanks also to the Mayor, Council and community of Humber Arm South for providing such a beautiful venue.   Hopefully, another similar event will be happening in 2017.

I’m also writing today to share with you a few words on a wonderful experience myself and my wife Sheila were fortunate enough to have this past weekend at the Mi’kmaw Cultural Centre in De Grau.  The Centre itself is a wonderful community facility that was made possible through the vision and hard work of local Benoit First Nation Chief Jasen Benwah, also a Qalipu Councilor for the Port aux Port Ward.  It is so refreshing to see the various indigenous groups that are active and alive in their communities.

During the week of August 26-30 the Centre was the site of a Mi’kmaw Language and Culture Camp.  More than a 100 people participated in the sessions, with 88 of them staying for the whole camp and receiving certificates for their accomplishments.  It is evident when speaking with members of the Qalipu First Nation that there is a strong desire to learn the Mi’kmaw language.  Indeed, many have been seeking new opportunities to self-identify and discover elements of their Mi’kmaq heritage such as language.

I have an incredible sense of optimism about the community leaders who are working so hard to bring opportunities to the people, and a sense of pride in the interest of all those participants who signed up to learn Mi’kmaq basics and, in so doing, carry our culture and heritage forward for future generations.

Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge those leaders that made this camp possible.  Through Delina Petitpa’s work as Chairperson of the Mi’kmaq Burial Grounds Research Restoration Association we have seen four language camps take place in the Bay St. George region.   We hope that language sessions can be held in the Bay of Islands and Central Newfoundland in the future.

I would also like to acknowledge our teachers who traveled from Nova Scotia to be with us: Dr. Bernie Francis and Mr. Curtis Michael.  These gentlemen teach in the true Mi’kmaw spirit: with song, laughter and love in addition to sharing the skills and know-how of language.  Thanks also to Jasen Benwah, the Benoit First Nation Women’s Association, Marcella Williams, Kerri Cutler, and Terry Muise for their special contributions to the success of the language and culture camp.

I’d like to wish everyone a safe Labour Day weekend and hope that each of you will take the opportunity to enjoy these last sunny days of summer.  I look forward to seeing you at Ward Town Hall Meetings that will be scheduled in your areas this coming fall, and at regular meetings of Council which are open for all members to attend.

 

Wela’lioq
Chief Brendan Mitchell

Kwe’ Kis’ulk, Creator

Tomorrow we celebrate National Aboriginal Day, a day dedicated for all Canadians to celebrate the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples to our communities, our provinces and to the development of our country.  From coast to coast to coast, we celebrate together.

This year marks 20 years since National Aboriginal Day was created.  This national day of recognition is the result of consultations and statements of support for such a day made by various Indigenous groups.  This demonstrates that when we work together, and unite our voices with a common goal, we can accomplish great things.  Thank you Creator for those who have gone before us and made such a day of celebration an annual event that we look forward to and cherish.

Special events and gatherings have been scheduled for several of our communities across the island.  I encourage everyone to take this opportunity to share in the fun and the pride of our unique heritage, diverse cultures, and outstanding contributions of the indigenous peoples of Canada.

Creator, please bless this special day for the benefit of all Canadians.

Msit No’kmaq,

Chief Brendan Mitchell

Please click here to visit our events calendar to find out what’s happening in your area to mark this special day.

Kwe’

Today I invite all of you to take a moment to pray and reflect on the dire situation in Alberta where wildfires persist in several communities. It is during life’s difficult moments, when we are faced with the crisis of entire communities being evacuated, of fellow Canadians fleeing for their lives, that we realize what is truly important – our health and safety, and our ability to love and support one another.   Please pray with me.

Kisu’lk (Creator) thank you for today and the good things we have in our lives.

Our hearts are with the people of those communities in Alberta where wildfires continue, in particular Fort McMurray where many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, including members of the Qalipu First Nation, have settled and made their lives.   There is a tremendous sense of loss, fear and anxiety there, as homes and communities continue to be victimized by one of the most devastating fires in Canadian history.

We ask you for support and strength for the people, Kisu’lk.   Ensure the safety of those on the ground fighting fires and responding to the situation, give comfort to those directly impacted by loss, and also to those whose hearts are heavy with thoughts of those friends and family members impacted by this crisis.

While we struggle to understand such disaster, Kisu’lk, let us remember to have hope and faith.  While we cannot undo the destruction that has happened, we can carry the light of hope and rebirth.   Remind us that it is during times like these that we are given the opportunity to stand together as one people, giving our support, courage and love to those who need it most.

Kisu’lk bring an end to these fires.  Bring rain.  Remove the fear and despair that has crept into the hearts and spirits of the people.  When it’s over Kisu’lk, bring us together as individuals, communities, organizations and governments to aid in rebuilding homes and communities.  Let us all do what we can to help carry the burden so that no one is left behind.

Msit No’kmaq (All my relations)

Chief Brendan Mitchell

 

Kwe’,

It is my pleasure to bring greetings once again with this monthly message.  It is a privilege to be Chief of this Nation.  I ask Kisu’lk (Creator) today, and every day, for guidance to best serve the people I represent.  I pray too that this message finds each of you in good health and looking forward to more sun and warmer temperatures with the near arrival of spring.

There are many reasons to be proud when I look back on the past few weeks.  Qalipu staff did an excellent job in the organization and delivery of our annual business forum, Mawio’mi.  I personally attended this event and was pleased to see a high number of indigenous businesses participating, and presentations from local development leaders.  The youth element of the event was perhaps the best part.  For the first time our Mawio’mi Business Forum included students from around Atlantic Canada who actively participated in the Forum.  The students also participated in break out groups to analyze a business scenario and come up with a solution.  The professionalism and the well put together presentations from these young people gives me confidence in the future.

Another highlight this past month was the opportunity to visit the Miawpukek First Nation along with several of the Qalipu Councilors.  We met at their headquarters, learned about their governance and activities and had a tour around Conne River.  We also met with Qalipu members that are living in that area.  This was a great opportunity to get to know each other better, and to build on the relationship between our two Nations, both Mi’kmaq with shared history.  We anticipate that Chief Mise’l Joe and some of the Miawpukek Councilors will be visiting Qalipu territory in May.  We look forward to the opportunity to connect and build on this important relationship.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to point out several Town Hall Meetings that are coming up in our Wards in the near future.  April 3-Grand Falls-Windsor, April 4-Gander, April 16-St. George’s and April 17-Flat Bay.  You will find the particulars of these meetings in our monthly newsletter, attached.  It is important that members take the opportunity to come out to these meetings and connect with their Ward Councilors.

Wela’lioq (Thank you to all of you)

Chief Brendan Mitchell

Click here to read our monthly newsletter, Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k