June 16, 2016, Corner Brook—Chief Brendan Mitchell of the Qalipu First Nation today announced an enhancement in funding for the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) to support the hiring of two additional Aboriginal Fishery Guardians in the central region. This was an important achievement for the new Chief, who at the start of his term approached the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) regarding the need for greater representation on central rivers, and to secure enhanced funding for AFS which had not seen an increase in nearly twenty years.

Chief Mitchell addressed the group of ten Guardians who were gathered along with DFO representatives and Qalipu Natural Resources (QNR) staff, in Corner Brook today for refresher training as the team begins their working season.

“The Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy is a very special program for us at Qalipu. Conservation is so important to all of us in the province, and your presence on our rivers helps prevent poaching and encourages sustainable use of our resources for future generations. I have a lot of respect for the work that you all do. This is why it was so important to me, not only to continue this program, but also to pursue expansion of it. I’m pleased to share with you all today that, after some negotiation, DFO has come through with additional funding to support the hiring of one additional Guardian in the central region.”

Chief Mitchell went on to say that for the safety of the Guardians who spend a lot of time working in and around water, it is best that they work in pairs of two. He noted that QNR will fund a second new position in Central to allow for that. Representation will now consist of six Guardians in western Newfoundland, and six in Central.

In addition to enforcement patrols, the Guardians collect scientific data that is fed into the Natural Resource division for analysis and reporting. For reliable planning, reporting, and understanding of our environment, raw data is essential. Data collected each year provides the possibility for long term monitoring, indicating changes over time. A number of QNR and MAMKA projects were made possible this year by the involvement of the AFS Guardians. In particular, projects pertaining to American eel, fresh water habitat obstruction removal, Invasive Species and research concerning Species at Risk.

The new Aboriginal Fishery Guardian Trainee positions are now listed on Qalipu.ca. For more information, please contact Jonathan Strickland, Manager of the Qalipu Natural Resource division by email at jstrickland@qalipu.ca

The Qalipu Health Services division is pleased to announce the launch of a new project, The Qalipu First Nation Chronic Disease Prevention and Self-Management Project. This initiative will see traditional and cultural resources integrated into the existing Improving Health My Way (IHMW) program currently offered by provincial regional health authorities. This project was made possible by the receipt of a $100,000 Health Service Integration Fund, awarded to Qalipu this year.

“Health services is an area where we see a lot of potential for growth for the Qalipu First Nation.” Noted Brendan Mitchell, Chief of the Band, “This project, and the partnerships formed with regional health authorities, government and other stakeholders, will be a valuable resource to the Band going forward. It will serve as a strong      foundation for future health promotion initiatives.”

Renée Dyer, Manager of the Qalipu Health Service division said that the existing program is a great opportunity for people of the province to better their health, and hopes that adding elements of culture and tradition will make it even more relevant, particularly for the Qalipu First Nation.

She said, “This program give people the self-empowerment skills and tools needed to manage chronic disease and improve their overall wellness and quality of life. Qalipu will build a supplementary resource that will integrate aspects of Mi’kmaq culture and traditional practices into the existing program, making it more engaging for our membership.”

Starting on July 13 and running every Wednesday for six weeks, Qalipu will deliver the IHMW program to members of the Band. It will be delivered at the Qalipu Community Room in Corner Brook and will be expanded to be delivered in in other Wards as project development continues.

Dyer added that in the fall, members who participated in the summer session, as well as general members of the band, will be engaged via consultations and a survey, to help identify cultural and traditional components that are unique to our First Nation and that can support the program when being delivered to Qalipu members.

For more information about this new initiative, contact Renée Dyer by email at rdyer@qalipu.ca.

To register for the Improving Health my Way program taking place this summer, please contact Victoria White at 637-5000, ext. 6689 or email selfmanagement@westernhealth.nl.ca

Click Here for more details on the Improving Health My Way Program

Media:
Alison White Communications Officer,
Qalipu First Nation tel. (709)634-5163
email awhite@qalipu.ca

 

(Published March 18, 2016)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Winter and Summer Games will now include Aboriginal Teams from each Aboriginal Nation beginning at the Summer Games, to be held in August, 2016, in CBS, NL. Therefore, in the 2016 NL Summer Games we have the opportunity to enter a Team Mi’kmaq.

The Aboriginal Sports Circle intends to enter teams in the following sports: Swimming, Golf, Track and Field and beach volleyball.

To identify our Mi’kmaq athletes, the Aboriginal Sports Circle would like to know where your children attend school, their name, age and grade, and which of the 4 sports for the 2016 Games they would like to try out for. Your child can try out for all 4 if they wish, but can only compete in one sport. The NL Summer Games will be very competitive. All athletes who compete will be trying to do their best and be noticed as a candidate for the 2017 NL Canada Games Team. We will be assessing the aboriginal athletes and coaches for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games to be held in Toronto.

For full details, and to complete the questionnaire identifying our student athletes, please click here.

(Published March 15, 2016)

In preparation for the 2016 NL Summer Games, the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle is pleased to accept applications for coaching positions for Aboriginal Teams at these upcoming Games. We will be accepting applications for coaching in the following sports:

-Athletics
-Beach Volleyball
-Golf
-Swimming.

If this opportunity interests you, please provide a written expression of interest, outlining certification and/or relevant experience and qualifications, to either of the ASRCNL staff listed below by March 31, 2016:

Mike Alexander BSG Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle
129 Montana Drive
2nd Floor, Rm 228
Stephenville, NL A2N 2T4
Ph: (709) 643-3130
Fax: (709) 643-3150
e-mail bsgasrc@nf.aibn.com

Click here to read the release

Click here to read release

Click here for full list of Qalipu Chief and Council

Click here to read release