Watch for registration links each morning on our Qalipu First Nation Facebook Page and on our Website

* Tuesday, June 15, 7:30 NST – “Tepaskman: You can do it” webinar with Barbara Sylvester and Dean Simon on Adult Language Acquisition (Link to be shared on day of event on Qalipu.ca and Facebook).
* Wednesday, June 16, 7:30 NST – “Mila’sultinej: Let’s play” language games webinar with Dean Simon. (Link to be shared on day of event on Qalipu.ca and Facebook).
* Thursday, June 17, 7:30 NST “Ki’kli’kwe’jk: Chicken Run” mi’kmaw language film screening webinar with Dean Simon. (Link to be shared on day of event on Qalipu.ca and Facebook).
* Friday, June 18, 7:30 NST “L’nutoql: Mi’kmaw Music”, Bay of Islands Radio.
* Saturday, June 19, “Mi’kwite’tm (I remember) Park Day”.

Virtual Arts and Crafts events daily as well (registration required).

Revitalize your mind, body and spirit by reconnecting with the land on a free trip for you and three friends!

Qalipu First Nation and Four Seasons Tours have partnered to offer members a chance to win a traditional experience for themselves and three individuals. The party of four will experience:

– Fishing from a traditional dory

· Explore the picturesque Bay of Islands.

· Learn local history.

· Taste traditional foods.

· Take pictures of mystic Bald Eagles.

Click here to enter the contest: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JF7PGMR

Don’t miss your chance to purchase some new jewelry and other crafts while supporting our local Indigenous artists. Join the Auction Group Now!

Click here to join group and participate in the auction: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2837911609771089

Qalipu First Nation is conducting a land use survey in partnership with Matador Mining. The data from the survey will be used to prepare a report to help advise the Environmental Assessment process for the proposed goldmine near Cape Ray on the south-west coast. It will also help to identify any potential environmental impacts the project may have on the surrounding area and on the livelihood of the people who use the land. No data will be shared with Matador Mining, nor will the data be published.

More information on the Cape Ray Gold Project can be found on Matador Mining’s website:
https://matadormining.com.au/cape-ray/

To take the survey click here: https://trailmarkapp.com/tm/?client=qalipu&survey=b55d440804530faee2cefeca56293acd or copy and paste the url into your browser.

The survey is estimated to take just about 1 hour to complete.

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns about the survey please contact Ian Sullivan at isullivan@qalipu.ca or call (709) 634-0998

The Band holds an Election for Chief and Council every three years.

In the past, voters have requested mail-in ballots or voted at polling stations in each of the nine Wards.

During the 2018 election, Qalipu held a referendum vote to amend the Election Code.  75% of voters voted in favour of changing the way we hold elections; instead of mail-in ballots and polling stations, voters will now be asked to vote online or over the phone.

Find a copy of the Election Code here: https://qalipu.ca/qalipu-election-2021/#1611931747908-9b71716b-5ba6

Going forward, voters will receive an information package in the mail containing a secure PIN that they will use to vote either online or over the phone.

We will not be able to reach voters who do not have a current mailing address listed on their ginu membership profile.  However, these individuals will have the opportunity to dial a toll-free number and obtain a PIN after verifying their membership identity once the Election has been called.

Question: What can I do to make sure I receive my voter information package in the mail?

Answer: We need your correct mailing address.  Please register your current information by completing the  Voter Registration Form or by updating your ginu membership profile on your own.

Question: When is the Election?

Answer: A call for nominations will take place in early September 2021.   Voting will take place over the course of a seven-day window leading up to end of voting and announcement of winners on October 22.

Question: Who is eligible to vote in the upcoming Election?

Answer: Every Band member who is age 18 + at the date of the election is eligible to vote regardless of their location.

Question: Who will we be voting for during the Election?

Answer: The positions of Chief, Western Vice Chief, Central Vice Chief and Ward Councilors for each of the nine Wards (Flat Bay, St. George’s, Stephenville, Port au Port, Corner Brook, Benoit’s Cove, Grand Falls-Windsor, Glenwood, and Gander Bay).

Question: Can I vote on all of these?

Answer: Voters will vote on the positions of Chief, Vice Chief for their region only, and Ward Councilor for their Ward only.

Question: If I do not live in a Ward, will I still be able to vote for a Ward Councilor?

Answer: If the voter does not live in a Ward community, they will have the opportunity to vote in the last Ward community in which they lived.  If the voter has never lived in a Ward community, we will look at substantive community connection to determine your voting Ward.  In most cases, this has been previously determined by data provided during the application process.  For a small number of others who were more recently accepted into the Band, we will ask about your community connection, or the community to which you tie your Mi’kmaq ancestry in order to determine your substantive community connection.

Question: Can I vote at a polling station or request a mail-in-ballot?

Answer: no, voting will be done using a secure PIN that will be sent to you in the mail.  You will then have a seven-day window in which to vote online or over the phone.

Question: Why am I expected to vote this way? Why did things change?

Answer: During the 2018 election, Qalipu held a referendum vote to amend the Election Code.  75% of voters voted in favour of changing the way we hold elections; instead of mail-in ballots and polling stations, voters will now be asked to vote online or over the phone.

Question: What if I have trouble voting online or over the phone? Will there be help available?

Answer: Yes, there will be a toll-free support line you can contact for assistance.  We also expect that the Electoral Officer may put people in place for in-person support at our Band office locations.

If you have additional questions, please email them to communications@qalipu.ca

Join us June 15-21 for a celebration of language and culture leading into National Indigenous People’s Day!

Each day from Tuesday June 15-18 there will be an online craft session (registration details below) daily from 2-4pm as well as an evening language session with our resident language specialist Dean Simon from 7:30-9pm. On Saturday June 19, we will hold a family day on the Majestic Lawn in Corner Brook, where families are welcome to gather for language puppet shows, and crafting demonstrations. Sunday will be a celebration of Father’s Day with online tributes and storytelling. As a finale, we will hold a day-long online event to celebrate National Indigenous People’s Day with community partners.

Throughout the week you can look forward to an online art and craft auction, a radio show with Dean and Susan O’Quinn, and more!

Included in this week is an opportunity for families to get a “Kids kit.” 150 kits are available, registration is required!

MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW!

Craft Registration here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NW6XC9Y

Kids Kit Registration here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NXQSXLH

Rattle Workshop Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GBNWZVL

Want to sell your craft in the auction? Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N5WVFYL

Want to be a vendor in person on Family Day? Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NZMNDFC

Please join us in a Virtual Celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day!

Once again, this year we invite community submissions for a full day of video content to be hosted on our Facebook Page from across Ktaqmkuk. Although we are not able to gather, we want to make this Indigenous Peoples Day special.

Last year we had community members and groups submit videos featuring music, dancing, greetings, and discussions. It was truly a memorable day that reached people near and far.

If you would like to get in on the planning and discussion, or have questions about how to get involved, we invite you to contact Nicole Travers at ntravers@qalipu.ca

You may also like to use the attached planning form to let us know about your submission: NIPD Planning form