Introduction

The Service Members Agreement was developed by the Government of Canada (“Canada”), Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation (“QFN”) and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (“FNI”) to establish criteria for accepting former and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces (“CAF”) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (“RCMP”) as founding members of Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation. This Agreement was founded in the special place of honour these Service Members hold in the Mi’kmaw culture due to their service as protectors of Canada and their communities. The Agreement applies to persons who were part of the enrolment process between 2008 and 2012 but were denied founding membership based on the group acceptance criterion.

The following is a tripartite statement from all parties to the Agreement:

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Questions and Answers from QFN

Q:          What does the joint statement mean for the Service Members?
A:           The Service Members Agreement remains in place, and the files remain active. Canada has ceased work and is waiting for further clarification from the court before proceeding.

Q:          Have the Service Members been denied?
A:           No. The files remain active. This is not a decision to deny or close applications, this is a delay.

Q:          Is Qalipu First Nation (QFN) still supporting the Service Members?
A:           Absolutely. QFN has consistently supported completing the Service Members Agreement. That has been our position and remains our position. We recognize the importance of this process to individuals and families who have been waiting too long.

Q:          Why can’t QFN just move forward with the applications?
A:           This is a tripartite agreement involving QFN, the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) and the Government of Canada. All parties need to be prepared to move forward.

QFN remains committed to the process, but we also must respect all parties involved and our tripartite decision-making process—we cannot act on our own according to the Agreement.

Q:          Was this a delay caused by either QFN or the FNI?
A:           This is a tripartite discussion involving all three parties. As stated above, in spite of any other matters or disagreements, QFN and the FNI were prepared to proceed with outstanding applications. Canada was not.

Q:          How long will Service Members have to wait?
A:           We do not have a current timeline to provide. We don’t want to speculate about when Canada will be prepared to resume this process following matters before the courts.

Q:          What do you say to Service Members who are frustrated?
A:           We understand the frustration of service members and share them. Many people and families have been waiting for a long time, and we recognize how difficult continued uncertainty can be for individuals and families. We will continue to stick to our principles and positions.

As Chief Jenny has said before:

We firmly believe that Service Members deserve a prompt and fair resolution. You have waited long enough, and we are determined to see this work progress without further delay. Our goal is to ensure that the process continues in a way that is consistent, accountable, and respectful of the people whose lives and families are directly affected… Our position stays unwavering: Service Members deserve justice, and they deserve it now. We are committed to moving this process forward in line with the commitments we have already made, and we will continue to advocate for the prompt completion of this work.

Q:          What about the impact this is having on our people’s mental health?
A:           We recognize that this has been a long and difficult process. Further, waiting without knowing when there will be an outcome can take its toll.

We would encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out for support. There are mental health and wellness resources available. Taking care of yourself and your family is important.

• 811 health line nurses are available 24/7 — If you are experiencing a mental health and addictions crisis, need support, or are looking for health information, call 811.
• Suicide Crisis Hotline — Call 988 (for all of Canada).
• Hope for Wellness Helpline — Call 1-855-242-3310 or “connect” to the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca to access immediate help for all Indigenous people across Canada.
• Kids Help Phone — Call 1-800-668-6868 and press 3. For texting, text “CONNECT” to 686868 (youth) or 741741 (adult). To connect with an Indigenous volunteer crisis responder (when available), text “FIRSTNATIONS”, “INUIT”, or “METIS.”
• Provincial Lifewise Warm Line — Call 1-855-753-2560.

Previous Statements and Updates:

• 10 April 2026 – Message from the Chief on SMA and Demanding Action
• 7 March 2025 – Update to Members on the Service Member Agreement
• 24 November 2023 – Message from Chief Brendan on SMA Update
  
• 24 November 2023 – Service Members Agreement Update
• 17 May 2023 – Update on Incomplete SMA Application Submissions
• 1 February 2023 – Update to Members on the Service Member Agreement
• 6 January 2023 – Message from Chief Brendan on SMA Referendum
• 6 July 2021 – Press Release: Announcement on Exploration to Create Service Member Agreement
• 31 March 2021 – Press Release: Canada Halts Exploratory Discussions re: Membership (incl. Service Members)
• 16 November 2018 – Initial Exploratory Discussions with Canada Announced

November 24, 2023

This is an update to members following the positive support for the Agreement that the Government of Canada, Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians reached last year on December 22, 2022. The Agreement establishes criteria for accepting former and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as Qalipu Founding Members. Acceptance is based on the special place of honour these new members hold in the Mi’kmaq culture due to their service as protectors of Canada and their communities.

Applications Process

The Enrollment Committee has completed its initial review of all applications for Founding Membership with Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation. An appeals process will follow for those who wish to exercise this option.

Founding Membership List

• The review of applications under this exercise will result in over 580 additions to the Founding Membership list.
• Decision letters to all applicants and requests for additional information in some instances will follow.
• It is anticipated that this phase of enrolment will be completed in 2024 following the regulatory process by Canada to officially add new members to the Founding Members list of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation. For more information on the Order in Council process, please visit Orders in Council – Canada.ca.
• Individuals who are recognized as Founding Members will immediately be registered as Status Indians under the Indian Act, thus becoming eligible to receive benefits such as those from the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program.

If you have any questions, please call the Government of Canada’s Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation toll-free line (1-800-561-2266; TTY: 1-800-465-7735).

Read on for all the details as shared on the Indigenous Services Canada website.

A letter called Incomplete Submission. was sent on May 15, 2023 to those applicants who provided their documentation with missing or incomplete information:

• the Declaration form;
• signature on the Declaration form;
• signature on the Acknowledgement and Release;
• witness signature on the Acknowledgement and Release;
• proof of service;
• a certified true copy stamp on the proof of service

The applicants receiving this letter will have 30 days to provide their documents and correct the missing or incomplete information, sent to this address:

Enrolment Committee
Indigenous Services Canada
Box 9100
Winnipeg MB R3C 0M9

Your response must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2023.

If you don’t respond by that date, the Enrolment Committee or the Appeal Master will not consider your application further. The existing decision of the Enrolment Committee to reject your application for founding membership will remain in effect.

Questions & answers about the Service Members Agreement