Medicine Bag Making Workshop for National Indigenous Peoples Day!
The Qalipu Cultural Foundation will provide kits for a medicine bag making workshop to take place on National Indigenous Peoples Day. There are 100 spots available, its free of charge, materials to be mailed out in advance. Follow the link to register by Monday, June 8 !
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/M7BPZS3
*Materials will be mailed to participants prior to the event
Pat Cameron is originally from Grand Falls-Windsor and currently resides in Point of Bay. Connecting with family members and other Mi’kmaq people keeps her grounded and involved in cultural activities. Pat is involved in her community and brings together people from all over central Newfoundland as president of the Exploits Valley Aboriginal Community Group (EVACG). For Pat being able to freely express her Mi’kmaq culture is not something she takes for granted as she noted that this was not something her grandparents nor parents had the privilege to do.
Aside from being president of the EVACG she is also a member of Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network and Eastern Door, and Past President of Exploits Native Women’s Association and has facilitated Senior’s Workshops, Violence Prevention, and Lateral Violence workshops in the Exploits Valley region.
I had the pleasure of meeting Pat through the EVACG when I started helping with the youth group called Bernie’s Puktew. Involving children in cultural activities is something that Pat strives to do by including them in all the presentations she facilitates and creating new opportunities specifically for youth. Through the EVACG they offer cultural presentations at libraries, schools, multi-cultural events, childcare centers, and senior care homes.
“These sharing sessions are a great learning opportunity for the young’ aboriginal and non-aboriginal students, with the awareness and knowledge they gain, we hope that they will share it with their families and peers,” she explained.
For Pat personally, staying connected to her Mi’kmaq culture means being aware of her surroundings. “I am very interested in vegetation, especially edible and medicinal plants and trees,” she said. In her free time, she collects plants to use in teas and canning. Berry picking is one of her many passions, she also does a number of other aboriginal crafts including, beading, making rattles, sealskin and leather jewelry, she is also a talented painter. Her talents and passion for her culture truly have no end because Pat is also a very talented drummer and singer and she shares this gift throughout the communities in Exploits Valley.
Whenever asked Pat can gather together a few drummers and really showcase beautiful Mi’kmaq music.
The restrictions put in place due to Covid-19 have not slowed her down any; since they have come into play, Pat has been following many tutorials and knowledge sharing videos that she shares with members of EVACG. It was also her idea to share daily gratitude with the group members to maintain a sense of togetherness and positivity through these dark times.
When asked what her vision for the future of Qalipu includes Pat said, “I would like to see Qalipu more visually represented in the public in central. I am looking forward to having larger presence events such as a Mawio’mi or even a pow wow. I would like to see a healing center in central and on the west coast to address all social and health needs for Qalipu members, such as doctors, mental health, legal support, addictions, domestic violence, dental, culturally based programs for all members.”
Pat is the embodiment of what it means to be a community leader. The work she does for Qalipu and her community does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
Experience Qalipu is pleased to offer craft workshops to make dreamcatchers, sealskin mitts, sealskin broaches and beaded keychains.
Registration closes on Friday, June 5th. If there is high interest for these workshops, there will be a random draw for participants on Monday, June 8th.
Participants can only attend one workshop. If you have been selected to participate in one of the workshops, you will be notified on June 8th. All materials will be mailed or delivered to participants and the workshops will take place over Zoom.
*Internet access is required for these workshops*
Please click here for the registration link
For Salome Barker from Grand Falls – Windsor being a Mi’Kmaq person is her entire identity, “I live my everyday life as a Mi’kmaq person, it is so entrenched into who I am that I cannot pinpoint something exactly, she says. For Salome, a big part of being a Mi’kmaq person means she must help lift up others and create a safe environment for them to be themselves and explore who they are.
Making strong relationships with other Mi’kmaw people across Ktaqkuk to build on and learn from one another is something Salome feels strongly about. This is why you will most likely find Salome at almost any gathering or get together held by Qalipu in her ward. Salome is an active community leader and she is currently working on a 9-month fellowship called ‘Who We Are’. This is a project that she developed it is aimed at revitalizing Mi’kmaw culture among youth and is based in central Newfoundland. She leads conversations with youth focusing on their experiences of growing up as a Mi’kmaq person in Ktaqmkuk, what changes they would like to see within their community, schools, and their everyday life when it comes to their Indigeneity.
This falls in line with Salome’s own vision for what she would like to see for the future of Qalipu, she says “I would like for the vision of Qalipu to have a focus on Indigenous youth and helping them to achieve their dreams and inspiring them to do community work within their own communities and assisting them in whatever capacity that is. Where that is through funding, training, giving them the proper teachings, the future of Qalipu is at this point in the hands of the youth. However, for youth to take charge of projects they must feel supported and encouraged [by] the leaders within their communities.”
Salome herself tries to live her life by being honest with others, respecting the land, all her elders, and everyone she encounters. She tries to live her life with humility and always being conscious of her actions and words. She has taken the lead in making new connections and being more vulnerable which she says has helped her tremendously with staying connected to her culture. “I have learned so much from other community members and Elders that I will hold onto forever. As well, taking the time to be connected to the land is vital for [me]. Learning about where my ancestors came from and how they lived in Ktaqmkuk always keeps me grounded and secure in who I am. The land is healing and has so much to offer us as Mi’kmaq people, that I really try to not take it for granted” she said.
This has encouraged Salome to organize cultural workshops led by Elders and Mi’kmaq leaders across Newfoundland for the youth in her community where they can explore their own culture and learn more about who they are.
Thank you for your commitment to the community, Salome. Keep up the good work!
Elaine Ingram is more than an active community volunteer in Burgeo. Elaine is one of those super doers – building community in a dozen different ways. Local Chief of the Burgeo Band of Indians, Greg Janes, reached out to share his appreciation and praise for this community leader.
“Elaine has been steadfast in our band and our community. We are all proud of her for her dedication and commitment.”
Janes added that as Secretary and Treasurer for the band, Elaine not only manages the finances and keeps the records, but also supports all activities including developing and delivering cultural programs; as a talented crafter, she is able to delivers workshops to share her skills with others.
Janes said, “There’s nothing she can’t make. Everything from sealskin mitts, moccasins, beading. She even made her own sealskin jacket,”
Elaine admits that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes in preparing for these workshops but says she is motivated by her belief that it is a privilege to help others, and it is a very rewarding endeavour.
“Sharing my knowledge gives that person so much joy and the reward to me comes in a form of knowing I made an impact on their lives,” she said.
Eileen also leads a women’s group, looks out for the elderly, is engaged in learning the Mi’kmaw language, and is a mother, wife, and full-time home care worker.
“She has been the glue that keeps us running,” Janes said, “the Burgeo Band of Indians is very fortunate to have such a strong woman who has served her community with devotion.”
Gratitude is an important part of walking a good path like Eileen’s, and she is sure to give a shout out to people who support her.
“I’m starting to get help from my niece and that has taken a lot of stress off. I also want to thank Joe Warren for being there when I doubt myself.”
Keep up the great work, Elaine!
Kwe’
I want to make you all aware that Qalipu First Nation has received financial support through the COVID-19 support fund for Indigenous Communities and to ask for your feedback.
Please join our Facebook Watch Party this coming Thursday, May 21st., at 7:30 PM when I’ll chat with Band Manager Keith Goulding. Together, we’ll explain the fund and ask our members for input on how we allocate this support to our communities in the best way possible.
You can participate in a live discussion at that time, and we encourage you to send your feedback to communications@qalipu.ca
I pray that you all are doing well and staying safe.
Wela’lin
Chief Brendan Mitchell
Please be advised, outdated Status Cards and temporary confirmation of registration documents will be accepted during the pandemic with a second piece of ID. Please see the attached for more information.
Nancy O’Connell, Indian Registration Administrator for the Band, notes, “All SCIS cards have a renew by date. With the majority of the children’s cards due to be renewed this year, this is important information for parents who may be concerned. I would also like to point that it is only the card that needs to be renewed; registration numbers do not expire. Our offices are currently closed as we navigate our way through these uncertain times of Covid-19, but please know I am available through email to help you in anyway that I can. You can reach me at noconnell@qalipu.ca”
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May 12, 2020 Corner Brook—The Qalipu First Nation is pleased to share that together with community groups from across the territory, it will host a full day of virtual content to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Throughout communities, June 21 celebrations have been a day of social gathering; from sunrise to sundown people have come together to share in the special day. This year, social gatherings are restricted, but the celebration will carry on.
Tara Saunders, Acting Director for the Community Development, noted that about a dozen groups are working together to bring something special to people who will be missing out on this important social gathering this year.
Saunders said, “We have Indigenous women’s groups from St. John’s to St. George’s, local Indian Bands from Exploits, Bay of Islands, the North Shore and Bay St. George, the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre and individuals as well, all coming together to plan a special day for our communities. Everyone involved is planning on developing and sharing their video content that will include storytelling, music, teachings and sharing of all kinds. We’re excited about this opportunity to work together and create a memorable Indigenous Peoples Day despite the pandemic restrictions currently in place.”
The Band will develop some content, provide video development support to community groups as needed, and will also take on the role of organizing content so that videos are streaming throughout the day, both on the Bands Facebook Page and the pages of other groups, without any overlap.
Nicole Travers, Cultural Resource Coordinator for the Band and liaison with the Cultural Foundation, notes that she has cast her net wide trying to reach everyone and ensure that the day is inclusive of all those who would like to be involved.
“There are a lot of people at the table. We have met a couple of times now and we are hopeful that more of our community leaders and knowledge carriers will come together to make this day truly memorable. Not just for the content we create, but also the beauty of working together for all our relations. I think is something truly unique and special this year.”
To join in the shared celebration, individuals and community groups are encouraged to contact Nicole at ntravers@qalipu.ca
Jordan Pottle is a young Mi’kmaq woman from Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. She is a member of Qalipu First Nation and she believes having a connection to both home and culture is a big part of what it means to be Mi’kmaw. For Jordan, it is especially important to not only continue her journey of Mi’kmaq knowledge for herself but also to pass her knowledge down to her 3-year-old daughter Nora.
Jordan is always learning from others in her community and elders who have been immersed in culture longer than she has. She also enjoys sharing culture with her community and has taken it upon herself to bring many cultural events to her hometown of Gander.
Dedicated and selfless are words one might use to describe Jordan as she does so much for her community and not for any recognition but rather for the joy it brings her to share her Mi’kmaw culture. Jordan established Little Feathers Parents and Tots Group which focused on bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous families with young children to gather and learn about each other during talking circles. Little Feathers Creations is another group created by Jordan where she created beaded jewelry and ornaments with inspiration from her Mi’kmaq culture. The Moose Hide Project was also brought to Gander thanks to Jordan’s efforts and she has been involved in several events and workshops in collaboration with the Gander Women’s Center and Red Dress Project. Kikmanaq Indigenous Cultural Revival Association is another one of Jordan’s creations that has given her community the opportunity to attend beading workshops and a family cultural day.
As a busy working mom, Jordan tries to be as involved in her community as much as possible and she is passionate about bringing people together and providing them with an opportunity to learn about her culture. Giving back and creating new opportunities is second nature to Jordan and it is her belief that everyone regardless of status should have an opportunity to learn about culture.
Jordan learns about her Mi’kmaw culture by surrounding herself with likeminded people at events she has hosted, programs she has established in her community, and workshops she has had the opportunity to attend. Jordan’s vision for the future of Qalipu includes cultural liaisons in more communities throughout Qalipu territory. “Our band is filled with amazing people with so much knowledge and so many talents. I would love to see us all learn from each other,” said Jordan.
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