Youth in grades K-12 are invited to submit their original poem commemorating the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 🪶
The author of the selected poem will win a prize for their school, as well as have their poem featured at the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event in Corner Brook on September 30th, 2024.
The deadline for submissions is September 25th @ 4PM
Please send submissions via email to awhiffen@qalipu.ca 🧡
From September 16, 2024 to October 6, 2024, Parks Canada will be seeking your feedback on the proposed national marine conservation area (NMCA) in the South Coast Fjords of Newfoundland and Labrador and the proposed redesignation of Sandbanks Provincial Park under Parks Canada protection. We invite you to participate in our online survey during this time to share your views. Your input will be instrumental in shaping the proposal for this region.
This month is Suicide Awareness Month, a month dedicated to fostering difficult conversations, listening with compassion, and supporting one another in seeking help. Suicide has a profound impact on our communities, and many of us have experienced the loss of loved ones. There is always hope; when we reach out, are able to offer support, and affirm the value of our people, we can work toward a future where no one feels isolated in their struggles.
Promoting understanding and empathy can create a safe space for discussing mental health challenges. Seeking help should be seen as a sign of strength, not weakness, because mental health is as crucial as physical health.
Currently, the suicide rate among Indigenous people is approximately three times higher than that of the general Canadian population. Youth suicide, along with other life-threatening behaviors, is a pressing issue for many Indigenous communities. The suicide and suicide attempt rates among Indigenous youth are significantly higher compared to the general population, deeply affecting families and communities. While youth suicide is a complex issue, many of these deaths are preventable. We need to dig deep to repair the root causes of this tragic statistic and commit to doing the hard work that will help support the people who need it most.
Using neutral, factual, and respectful language is crucial in reducing stigma. The way we talk about suicide should focus on prevention and avoid reinforcing negative connotations. The term “committed suicide” is stigmatizing and implies criminality or moral failing. Suicide is not a crime; it was decriminalized in 1972. Recent changes to the Criminal Code of Canada refer to “dying by suicide” instead of “committing suicide.”
Let us use this time to strengthen our connections with elders, youth, and families, sharing stories of healing and moving forward together in hope. You are never alone—our ancestors are with you, and so are we.
In November, the 988 suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline will become available. This service will offer immediate support through calls or texts, connecting individuals to crisis or suicide prevention services at no cost.
For more information, visit: https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/catalyst/three-easy-digits-well-all-soon-know/
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Whether you’re heading back to elementary or high school, beginning a new adventure in college or university, or pursuing further education of any kind, education holds profound importance on our future, serving as a bridge between preserving cultural traditions and embracing opportunities in the modern world. It is more than just acquiring knowledge from textbooks, it’s a way to empower individuals, uplift families, and strengthen the entire community.
For Indigenous peoples, education plays a vital role in reclaiming identity and fostering pride in our culture, language, and traditional practices. Our ancestors passed down knowledge through storytelling, song, and connection to the land. Today, education continues this process by allowing us to share and protect our Mi’kmaq ways while navigating the challenges of today’s world. By combining traditional knowledge with modern education, we empower our youth to lead with confidence in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous spaces.
Access to education provides hope and inspiration. It opens doors to careers, personal growth, and leadership opportunities, and it also builds connections with the past. For older generations, it provides a chance to share knowledge with the youth and contribute to lifelong learning.
As you embark on this new school year, remember that you carry the strength and resilience of your ancestors, and your community is here to support you every step of the way.
The next meeting of Chief and Council is scheduled for Saturday, September 21 at 10:00am in the Qalipu Community Room, 1 Church Street.
Registration is required to attend the meeting. Deadline to register is Friday, September 13, 2024, at 12:30pm.
Members wishing to attend can contact Natasha or Allyson by telephone or email:
Natasha – 709-634-6895, email: nlavers@qalipu.ca
Allyson – 709-634-5111, email: arobbins@qalipu.ca
Members can view the meeting’s livestream by logging on to their KINU membership profile: https://mala.qalipu.ca/ginu/login.aspx
As summer comes to an end and we look forward to fall, we are reminded of our deep connection to the land and all it offers. With the change of each season, many of us are carrying on our traditional practices of farming, foraging, hunting, trapping, and fishing—practices that have sustained our ancestors for generations and continue to sustain us today.
For centuries, we have lived in harmony with the land, taking only what we need and giving thanks for the abundance it provides. Our ancestors were among the first entrepreneurs, engaging in trade across our island and the rest of Mi’kma’ki. Yet today, we sometimes face harmful labels like “poaching,” which misunderstand and misrepresent our ways. It is crucial that we stand firm in our identity and educate others about the values that guide our interactions with the land.
Our traditions are not just practices; they are a way of life, passed down through the generations by our elders. They are the keepers of our knowledge, the ones who teach us how to live in harmony with the earth. As we move through this season of change, I encourage all of us to strengthen the connection between our elders and our youth. Let us create opportunities for our young people to learn the traditional ways of knowing and doing. By doing so, we are not just preserving our heritage—we are ensuring that our culture remains vibrant and strong for the next seven generations.
It is up to us to maintain and protect our traditions, to respect the land and all it offers, and to pass on these values to those who will come after us. We must be proactive, not reactive. In doing so, we honor our ancestors and ensure that our way of life endures.
Qalipu First Nation (QFN) Housing Division is pleased to announce the launch of the Home Repair Assistance Program (HRAP). This program will provide financial assistance up to $5,000.00 for eligible applicants residing in Newfoundland & Labrador.
This program will support housing repairs to increase functionality, sustainability, and longevity of homes, that will ensure a safe and sound standard of living specific to members and their needs. While funding is limited, the collection of data and the need for similar programs will be thoroughly assessed during this process.
Applicants MUST submit all required documentation by September 30th, 2024.
It is strongly recommended that applicants and/or co-applicants review the application in its entirety to ensure that all required documentation is included prior to submission. Please note, if all required documentation is not provided, the application may not be reviewed or processed.
To be eligible for funding, the home repair MUST fall into one of the following categories:
Requirement of combined annual household net income must be below $49,039.00, based on Government definition of “Low Income Taxable Reduction – LITR”
Please note that program funding is limited, and applications will not be processed until the submission window has closed. Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, not all applicants will be approved, and only those receiving funding will be contacted.
Find the application here: Application (pdf)
Contact:
Housing Development Officer
Paul Brake
709-634-5472
pbrake@qalipu.ca
Addiction is a disease that has deeply affected too many of our families, our culture, and our connection to the land. Sadly, countless people are struggling, which also impacts those around them.
For generations, Indigenous communities have faced devastating hardships because of colonialism. We have experienced a loss of connection to traditional ways of living, to the land, to ceremony, to language. Navigating these traumas and their fallout have significantly contributed to the high numbers of addiction within our communities, leading to generations of pain and struggle and too many gone too soon.
As we approach August 31st, the International Day of Overdose Awareness, it is important to talk about the profound impact that addiction has on us all. There are so many factors that lead to addiction. Nobody is immune to this disease, as no one sets out to become an addict.
We must commit to advocating for culturally appropriate addiction support and mental health services, as well as increased education and awareness for our youth. By doing this, we can gain a better understanding of the complex factors that contribute to substance use and support those in our communities that are in active addiction.
We must stand together and be hopeful in knowing that healing is possible. By embracing our culture, working with Indigenous and non-indigenous partners, and providing support to those in need, we can create a future where addiction no longer claims the lives of our loved ones. Together, we will continue to stand strong, guided by our traditions and the enduring spirit of our people.
This summer has been a remarkable time for Indigenous artists in our community, with a series of events that have beautifully showcased our rich cultural heritage. From Mawi’omis and Powwows, fashion shows to artist residencies and exhibits, within our province and beyond we have seen a powerful representation of the talent and creativity that exists within our nation.
Artistic expression enables us to tell stories, comprehend where we came from and where we are going, and allows us to bridge gaps in our knowledge and understanding. Art, seeking beauty and creating it, is deeply important and allows us to connect with each other and the world at large. For many artists, their careers are not simply spent creating; much of their time is spent seeking, applying for, and reporting on project funding. This is a time-consuming process that can make or break an artist’s livelihood, as well as their chance at becoming recognized and financially stable. Funding from dedicated art support programs enables our artists to display their work, telling our stories to the rest of the world.
As we move through 2024, which has been designated The Year of the Arts in Newfoundland and Labrador, we have reason to celebrate. Opportunities are offered that will elevate the lives of artists and creative people who need it most, allowing them valuable time and space to showcase their talents. This is not a frivolous undertaking: artists and organisations that are successful in receiving funding are tasked with ensuring those funds are responsibly spent and accounted for. They must report on the impact of their participation in these programs and prove that the intent and outcomes align; when projects are subjective and creative, it is necessary to ensure that funds are used appropriately and respectfully to support meaningful projects. The available funding is often outweighed by demand, and accountability is necessary to ensure that intended outcomes are met so these opportunities can continue to exist for others.
We are incredibly proud of the contributions of our Indigenous artists and appreciate the opportunities that exist to support them. We need to do what we can to support our artists, writers, musicians and people who create. View, listen, read, share and recommend their work, purchase a piece, or attend an exhibition. Artistry deserves an audience, and it is incredibly satisfying to be moved by someone’s creation. Everybody benefits! Our lives need beauty and stories, so we will always lift up those who are creating.
We look forward to continuing sharing our stories, ideas, and exploration of our culture through the arts.
Check out the links below for more information:
Year of the Arts: https://www.yearofthearts.ca/
Arts NL: Home – ArtsNL | Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council
Writers at Woody Point: https://www.writersatwoodypoint.com/
Fogo Island Arts: https://www.fogoislandarts.ca/
Elder Calvin White, Book “One Man’s Journey”: https://memorialuniversitypress.ca/Books/O/One-Man-s-Journey or One Man’s Journey: The Mi’kmaw Revival in Ktaqmkuk : White, Calvin: Amazon.ca: Books
Books at Flanker Press including “Poppa and his Drum” and “Poppa and the Sacred Kitpu” by Judy Doucette: https://flankerpress.com/category/children-young-adults
Incredible Artists including Paul Pike, Marcus Gosse (Facebook Group – Mi’kmaw Art By Marcus Gosse), Jerry Evans (Jerry Evans | Indigenous Artist | NL), Jordan Bennett (https://www.jordanbennett.ca)
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