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Announcement of Candidates – By-Election for St. George’s Ward Councilor
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Message from Chief Jenny – February 28, 2025
As industry development in our province advances in various areas, we as a First Nation have opportunities to engage with the developers to best guide decisions that will affect our next seven generations. While some see Indigenous participation as sign of approval of harmful environment process, it’s the opposite. We feel a responsibility to take seats at these decision-making tables that we have far too long been excluded from to ensure Indigenous knowledge and values shape innovation in ways that lead to responsible developments.
Economic Reconciliation is giving Indigenous people the opportunity to participate in employment and training to advance our communities. It allows us to be included and valued not just as employees but as employers and key stakeholders in our economy.
In a time when government is prioritizing diversity and inclusion in their procurement policies, we see a rise in something that is known as “Rent a Feather.” This term is used when a non-indigenous company exploits an Indigenous person to make them a “partner” when procurement policies give priority to businesses that have a minimum 51% Indigenous ownership.
For generations, Indigenous people seeking employment were most often discriminated against. Now that governments have finally implemented mechanisms to balance the scales to allow those who have been victims of oppression the ability to participate, we see non-indigenous people finding ways to by-pass these strategies to take opportunities from those that for far too long, have had none.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous people can work together as business partners, but this must be meaningful, mutually respectful, and beneficial. To take advantage of someone in this way is shameful and we must educate our youth to safeguard them so they can avoid this type of harm.
As Indigenous people, we all have a responsibility to honour our heritage, and this means that we must stand up to injustices that continue to oppress and take advantage of vulnerable populations.
Qalipu First Nation understands the frustration of those that have been impacted by the effects of colonialism and the Indian Act. There are few that have not been affected, including my own family. We will work to advocate for our people and for their right to participate in meaningful Economic Reconciliation. We will continue to support our members through our education efforts and remind all levels of government and industry of the importance of setting strict guidelines for respectful inclusion and opportunities for the advancement of our future leaders.
Relevant Link: Qalipu Business Network, http://qbn.qalipu.ca/
Notice of Call for Nominations- Band Council By-Election
Opening Monday, February 24 at 9:00am and closing on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 2:00pm
In accordance with the Custom Rules Governing Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Elections, nominations are invited for the position of St. George’s Ward Councilor.
Nomination forms are available for printable download here or below at;
- By contacting the Electoral Officer, Reisha Knott, at 709-486-2427 or by email at rknott@qalipu.ca
- Pick up at any Qalipu First Nation Band Office (St. George’s, Ktaqmkuk Mi’kmaw Museum, 183 Main Street)
Nomination papers are to be submitted with a non-refundable fee of $25.00 in the form of money order, band draft, cheque or cash.
Completed nomination forms and fee must be returned and in the possession of:
Qalipu First Nation
3 Church Street
Corner Brook, NL A2H 2Z4
No later than 2:00pm on the 4th day of March 2024.
and will be considered filed with the Electoral Officer for the purpose of the Band By-Election during the voting window, opening March 12 at 8:00am through to March 26 at 8:00pm.
Members of the St. George’s electoral ward can view the Electoral Voters List via the Qalipu.ca Election Hub to confirm their eligibility of candidacy or;
- By contacting the Electoral Officer, Reisha Knott, at 709-486-2427 or by email at rknott@qalipu.ca
- Walk-in at any Qalipu First Nation Band Office (St. George’s, Ktaqmkuk Mi’kmaw Museum, 183 Main Street)
Reisha Knott
Electoral Officer
E: rknott@qalipu.ca
T: 709-486-2427
Announcement of By-Election for St. George’s Ward
The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band will hold a By-Election for the position of St. George’s Ward Councilor.
- Call for Nominations: Opens Monday, February 24, 2025, at 9:00 AM and closes Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM.
- Nomination Forms will be available February 24 at 9am
- Contact the Electoral Officer, Reisha Knott, at 709-486-2427 or by email at rknott@qalipu.ca
- Pick up at any Qalipu First Nation Band Office (St. George’s, Ktaqmkuk Mi’kmaw Museum, 183 Main Street)
- Available on Qalipu.ca
Voter Information & Contact Updates
Voting in this election will be conducted exclusively by electronic means, meaning members will cast their votes using either telephone or internet-based voting.
To ensure you receive your Voter Information Package, which includes the necessary details to access the electronic voting system, please verify that your mailing address and/or email address are up to date.
To update your contact information, please complete one of the following before March 7, 2025:
1️⃣ By Telephone: Call the Indian Registration Administrator, Nancy O’Connell, at 709-634-4010 for assistance.
2️⃣ In-Person: Visit any Qalipu First Nation Band Office to verify or update your contact details.
3️⃣ Online:
- Log in to your KINU membership profile and update your mailing and email address.
- Complete the Update Information Form: https://qalipu.ca/member-information-update-form/
Electronic Voting Period & Voter Helpline
🗓 Voting will be open from Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 8:00 AM until Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 8:00 PM.
✔ Voting systems will be accessible 24 hours a day throughout the voting period, allowing members to cast their ballot electronically at any time via telephone or online.
📞 Voter Helpline: A dedicated Voter Helpline (1-833-579-5673) will be available to assist members who may not have received their Voter Information Package or need to retrieve their secure PIN to submit their electronic ballot.
🔹 Hours of operation for the Voter Helpline will be announced at a later date but will fall within the voting period of March 12 – March 26, 2025.
Where to Find More Information
For additional details about the St. George’s By-Election, you can:
📞 Call the Electoral Officer – Reisha Knott at 709-486-2427 or rknott@qalipu.ca
🏢 Visit a Qalipu First Nation Band Office
🌐 Visit the website – Qalipu.ca
📲 Follow updates on Facebook – facebook.com/qalipufirstnation
Members will receive a secure PIN in their Voter Information Package, which is required to access the electronic voting system and submit their ballot by telephone or internet. The voter’s helpline or the electoral officer alternatively can assist members in retrieving their secure pin.
Reisha Knott
Electoral Officer
E: rknott@qalipu.ca
T: 709-486-2427
Council Meeting Report – February 15, 2025
Meeting of Chief and Council
The first official meeting of the newly elected Qalipu First Nation Chief and Council was held virtually on Saturday, February 15th, 2025.
Beothuk Repatriation Committee Appointment
During the last council term, Central Vice-Chief Andy Barker was the QFN representative on the Final Resting Place Committee with the Rooms NL. A motion was put forward to council to reappoint Andy Barker to this committee.
All were in favor and the motion was carried.
Committee Appointments
The first meeting of the newly elected Chief and Council involves the appointment of the Chief and councilors to external committees.
Frank Skeard, Glenwood Ward Councilor will continue his work on the NMCA South Coast Fjords committee. Calvin Francis, Gander Bay Ward Councilor and Ivan White Sr, Flat Bay Ward Councilor were appointed to the MAMKA external committee while Miranda Osmond, Stephenville Ward Councilor was appointed to the Summer Games external committee. The external committee for Off-Shore Wind will be filled by the St. George’s Ward Councilor.
Chief Jenny Brake will sit on several committees within the Assembly of First Nations; the National Fisheries Committee, Economic Development Committee, Chief’s Committee on Charter Renewal and is proxy on the Women’s Committee. Chief Brake is also on the Atlantic Policy Congress Special Working Group, the RCMP Commanding Officers Advisory Committee, and the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee with Proxy Vice-Chief Colleen Paul. She is a Canadian Seals and Sealing Network Ambassador and sits on the Atlantic Seal Advisory Committee.
All were in favor and the motion was carried.
Band Council Procedures
The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Council Procedures has been updated for approval of council.
The updates to this document are to ensure that meetings are conducted in an efficient and respectful manner, ensuring that this new council understands their roles, responsibilities and expectations.
All were in favor and this motion was carried.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
The updated Code of Conduct and Ethics was reviewed by councilors prior to the meeting.
Councilors commented that as elected officials the Code of Conduct and Ethics is holding each other accountable, and they are being respectful of one another, our employees and our members when representing the Nation.
All were in favor and the motion was carried.
By-Election Date for the St. George’s Ward Councilor
During the 2024 election of Chief and Council there was no candidate for position of St. George’s Ward Councilor. All were in favor of the motion to proceed with a by-election for this position.
The call for nominations will be on February 24 at 9:00am until March 4 at 2:00pm.
An election will be called if there is more then one candidate running for the position. Voting will be set to open on March 12 at 8:00am until March 26 at 8:00pm.
We strongly suggest members ensure their mailing and email addresses is correct on their KINU membership profile. If members have any issues or need assistance in updating their information, please contact a QFN office and staff will assist you.
Canada Pension Plan Application
A motion was put forward to council to approve the ‘Application to Cover the Employment of an Indian under the Canda Pension Plan whose Income is Exempt under the Income Tax Act’ which is to ensure that all employees within Qalipu First Nation have the option to take Canada Pension Plan upon retirement.
All were in favor and the motion was carried.
Band Managers Report
The Band Manager provided an update on the 2023-2024 financial statements. The delay in these financials have been due to the implementation of a new accounting software that has caused several challenges, these issues are not uncommon during this process. The new software is now working correctly with additional monitoring tools in place going forward.
Next Meeting of Council
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held in Corner Brook on March 22nd, 2025.
Council Meeting Minutes – December 19, 2024
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Council Meeting Minutes – September 21, 2024
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Get Your Pink Shirt While Supplies Last
A limited supply of T-shirts featuring this design will be available for sale at our Corner Brook office starting February 17. The shirts cost $15 each and all proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Janeway Children’s Hospital.
Message from Chief Jenny – February 14, 2025
Recently, a cabin owner posted a sign saying “This is not Qalipu Land or Micmac Land. This land belongs to the public the people to use and enjoy public land”.
Firstly, I’d like to correct a few things about the statement; Qalipu Land or Micmac Land. We are Mi’kmaq, not Micmac. Micmac is the colonial use of the word Mi’kmaq. I also have heard statements like, “Are you a Qalipu”. That answer is no. We are not Qalipu, we are Mi’kmaq people that are members of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band and as Mi’kmaq people, we have an inherent right to the land as we have never agreed to give them up.
This sign and bold statement certainly stirred up conversation amongst many members of our community, Indigenous and non-indigenous because frankly, this was one of the most blatant acts of ignorance and discrimination we’ve seen since the English showed up and claimed our land for themselves.
These days we hear Land Acknowledgements in many rooms, honouring the Unceded, Unsurrendered Ancestral Land of the Indigenous people of Ktaqmkuk or what we now know as Newfoundland. Prior to provincial borders, we referred to this place as Mi’kma’ki, which spreads across the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and into areas of nearby states. Our traditional government was and still is the Mi’kmaq Grand Council. Our way of life as Indigenous people was deeply impacted by colonization and our fight to protect and preserve our knowledge continues as we are determined to thrive for generations to come.
In a time when our current Government is taking ownership for the harm caused by colonization, we are slowly seeing actions toward Truth and Reconciliation. One mechanism that exists is The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) which aims to promote respect for the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples. It is a directive that our Federal Government has adopted that requires measures be taken to ensure that federal laws are consistent with the Declaration.
To create a healthy society, we all, Indigenous and non-indigenous, have the personal responsibility to educate ourselves on issues to avoid making statements that can potentially cause this type of harm. Regardless of who “owns” land, whether it be Crown or private, the reality is, lands were never surrendered.
The very least we can do as occupants of this place is to care for it, not by causing division but by considering our dark history and learning from it, to acknowledge the harm of past and not repeat it.
We have a lot of work to do, and much to learn. Let’s all do our part.
Relevant Links:
United Nations Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf
Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat: https://www.apcfnc.ca/
Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action: https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1524494530110/1557511412801
New Scholarship with FactR Limited
Qalipu First Nation has collaborated with FactR Limited (https://www.factr.me/) to establish a scholarship for students pursuing post-secondary studies in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). This scholarship will be awarded to two member students, each valued at $500.
In addition to the scholarship, the recipients will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in AI/ML software solutions development and delivery through a potential work placement at FactR.
Applications for this scholarship is open to Qalipu First Nation high school students that have been accepted into a STEM program at a recognized post-secondary institution. Preference will be given to students accepted into IT and Software Engineering programs.
The deadline for applications is May 30th, 2025. Scholarships will be awarded by a selection committee, considering the merit of each application taking into consideration grades, career goals and volunteer activities.
Qalipu First Nation would like to send a sincere thank you to the team at FactR Limited for their generous support of this scholarship. Thank you for making a difference to the lives and the future of our Indigenous students.
Click here to complete the application
