January 13, 2020 Corner Brook— Qalipu First Nation is pleased to announce its commitment to honouring the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) through the installation of a dedicatory space outside our head office in Corner Brook. This initiative is being made possible through a commemorative fund provided by the Department of Women and Gender Equality, and the generosity of the City of Corner Brook, an integral partner in the development of this shared city space.
The project will culminate in a shared space for surrounding communities, for cultural and ceremonial gatherings. The Band envisions annual gatherings on October 4th, a day set aside specifically to honour lost women and girls and they hope to see community groups use the space all through the year.
Preliminary design concepts focus on incorporating elements of the medicine wheel, in a circular gathering space that could accommodate around 100 people. However, Band Chief Brendan Mitchell noted that plans will not be finalized until consultation has been completed.
“This is a significant and important project to honour missing and murdered women and girls, and their loved ones,” noted Qalipu Band Chief Brendan Mitchell, “we have letters of support from surrounding municipalities, we’ve met with the Indigenous women’s groups in this area, and we’re about to host public consultation. It’s important that our community people tell us what they would like to see, and how they envision using this space. Particularly, we want to hear from those impacted by the loss of a loved one.”
Glenda Buckle is a member-at-large on the project’s planning committee. She said that this project, for her, will offer healing. “The design concepts are absolutely beautiful. For me, it’s healing and closure to see that a space as special as this will be developed in honour of women like my sister whose lives were taken.”
Mayor Jim Parsons is pleased that the City of Corner Brook is a partner in this initiative. He said, “As a community, we are pleased to collaborate in providing the land for ceremony, healing, and an important space to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. We hope this will become one of many community gathering areas to support health and wellness that is grounded in cultural principles and practices. We are looking forward to the public consultation to help us shape this fundamental project.”
All those interested in learning more about the development plans for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Commemorative Installment are encouraged to attend a public meeting on January 27th at 7:00 PM at the Qalipu Community Room in Corner Brook. Individuals may also provide feedback via an online survey
For more information, please contact project lead Tara Saunders at 634-5972 or email tsaunders@qalipu.ca