Please be advised, Qalipu First Nation is not directly involved in the supply of groceries to community members and individuals cannot add their names to a food distribution list by calling our offices.  There are several community organizations who have applied to grocery chains for frozen foods that are being shared among their membership including the Flat Bay Indian Band, St. George’s Indian Band and others.  In other communities, food is being distributed by Indigenous community groups who have applied to Qalipu and other funders for money to prepare and distribute food hampers, sanitation supplies and to respond to a variety of other community needs.

Chief and Council at Qalipu First Nation are doing everything possible for communities as they navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic.  Following is a summary of past and ongoing initiatives put in place to support our membership during Covid-19.

Qalipu First Nation Covid-19 Relief Fund (first round): $52,975 received from Indigenous Services Canada, $22,625 supplied by Chief and Council on behalf of Qalipu First Nation.  These funds have been fully allocated to 14 Indigenous community groups which were in turn distributed to individuals in the form of food hampers, sanitation supplies, personal protective equipment and other needs in some 25 communities.   Click here to view the list of recipients of this fund.

Post-Secondary Student Support Program: $244,720 allocated to Qalipu-funded students in the form of lump sum living allowances at $460/eligible student dispersed in April, 2020.

Qalipu First Nation Small Business Support Grant: $150,000 in funding provided by Indigenous Services Canada being distributed as non-repayable grants of up to $10,000 per eligible member-owned business.  This process is ongoing; apply for the fund here

Community Emergency Response Fund for Urban & Off Reserve: $678, 311 in funding received from Indigenous Services Canada for Qalipu to develop and distribute vulnerable population kits, provide for essential transportation, develop youth wellness and prevention kits, and provide a subsidy for essential workers childcare costs.  A coordinator has been hired to oversee this fund, and a hiring process is underway for support specialists in each region.  Delivery of products and services under this fund is expected to begin soon.

Post-Secondary Student Support Fund for Qalipu Students: $1,496,987 in student funding was used to sponsor students for Intercession/Summer sessions and additional students for the Fall/Winter semesters.  Apply for funding with Qalipu here.

New Horizons for Seniors: $25,000 received from Employment and Social Development Canada has been partially dispersed buying iPad’s to be made available on loan to seniors participating in virtual workshops.  The remainder is earmarked to be spent on a community cookbook project. Member recipes and stories about hunting and foraging on the land will be compiled to create a digital cookbook which will be put into print and mailed to seniors.

Qalipu First Nation Covid-19 Relief Fund (second round): $51,000 in funds available to support Indigenous community groups in providing relief at the grassroots level.  Funding priority will be given to those groups who did not receive funding during the first round.  Applications for this fund are now being accepted, apply here.