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Proposed Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro Project
Please Provide your Feedback by March 4
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro is proposing to construct and operate a new 40 km, 69 kV transmission line (TL271) in central Newfoundland, as well as complete upgrades to its Star Lake terminal station, to enable electricity supply to the proposed Valentine Gold Project.
Hydro is interested in hearing feedback from the Qalipu First Nation membership. Please submit your comments and questions to our Natural Resource Department for a consolidated response.
Feedback can be sent to ahunter@qalipu.ca
Please find below the Project Overview for TL271.
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Youth Election
Our youth network is holding an election for the Qalipu Mi’kmaq Youth Council starting February 28 – March 28th! If you are a self-identifying Mi’kmaq youth (14-30) and would like to run / register to vote in this election, please visit our elections website for more information: https://sites.google.com/view/qynelections/home
Update Regarding COVID-19 Support Benefits for Seniors and Essential Workers, Now Available to All Eligible Members Regardless of Location
On February 17, the Band announced funding of $275,000 to support seniors aged 60+ and essential workers who incurred childcare costs during the pandemic. The benefits, payable at $50 monthly to seniors to subsidize the cost of travel for essential supplies, and up to $200 monthly per child for essential workers with childcare costs, were made possible through a federal fund whose criterion held that the Band member had to be living in Newfoundland to avail of the funding.
Qalipu First Nation is pleased to announce that following discussions with government, the criterion have been modified to make these benefits available to all eligible members, regardless of their location.
Mitch Blanchard is the Manager of Qalipu Health and heads up this benefit program. He noted that accessibility of the benefit for all eligible members was something he was pleased to be able to offer through working with partners.
“We knew there would be challenges with availability and that there were members living outside the region who needed this benefit just as much as those living on the island. We approached Indigenous Services Canada regarding our concerns around accessibility for all members and we are pleased to say our concerns were heard. The program has been changed to allow all eligible Qalipu Band members to apply, regardless of where they live.”
Band members living outside Newfoundland whose applications were previously rejected due to location will now be reassessed and will not have to apply again.
All eligible Band members are invited to apply for the Covid-19 support benefits which can be found here https://qalipu.ca/covid-19-support-programs
Qalipu First Nation Launches New COVID-19 Support Benefits for Seniors and Essential Workers
Seniors aged 60 + and essential workers who incurred childcare costs during the pandemic will be the recipients of a new benefit fund valued at $275,000 that will be administered by the Band effective today until all available funds have been fully allocated.
The Vulnerable Population Essential Travel benefit is geared toward seniors aged 60 +. These Band members are eligible to apply for a monthly subsidy valued at $50 (per household) to support travel for purchase of groceries and other essential items during the pandemic. Alternatively, seniors who require a taxi to travel may request travel arrangements be pre-paid in lieu of the $50 benefit.
The Essential Worker Childcare benefit is for Band members who were essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and incurred childcare costs. These individuals are eligible to apply for up to $200 in monthly benefits per child. This benefit can be paid retroactively starting in April 2020, will require a letter from the members’ employer verifying their status as an essential worker, along with childcare receipts.
Band Chief Brendan Mitchell noted, “In light of recent developments around the COVID-19 pandemic in our province, it is clear that our communities continue to need our support in whatever way we are able to give it. I’m happy to be able to assist seniors and essential workers at this time and the Band will continue to advocate for programs and benefits for Band members impacted by this difficult situation.”
Health Manager Mitch Blanchard heads up the new program and has several staff in place to help make administration of these benefits as smooth as possible.
“We know that there are a lot of members in our Band who will be eligible for these benefits which will likely mean a high volume of applications. Our staff are ready to help as many people as we can with the available funds.”
To access the online application form, please click the link below. For more information, please email covidsupport@qalipu.ca
Access information and online application:
Wilual Kniskamijinaq (Our Grandfather’s Food)
A quillwork workshop with Melissa Peter Paul will take place on March 5, 2021 @ 2pm. Register online for a chance to take part! There are twenty seats available, selected registrants will be notified after registration closes on February 19.
*DUE TO HIGH DEMAND PLEASE NOTE THAT TWENTY PEOPLE WILL BE RANDOMLY SELECTED. ONLY THOSE SELECTED WILL BE CONTACTED.
Interested parties should register here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XSB6DXH
Voters, Please Check In!
An election for Qalipu Chief and Council is coming up in October 2021.
Voting will take place over the course of a seven-day voting window and will be done over the phone or online using a PIN that will be sent to voters in the mail.
We need your mailing address to send your voter information package and PIN.
The first draft of the voters list is now online. This will be updated weekly as voters update their profiles.
If you see the words “contact us” next to your name it means we have incomplete information on your file, and you may have trouble voting in the upcoming election. If you see these words please, give us a call at (709) 647-3009 between the hours of 9:00 and 4:00, Monday to Friday, to discuss and make updates.
Every voter should verify that we have your correct mailing address, please review your membership profile in ginu here: https://qalipu.ca/login-options/
Apply for Your Summer Student Today!
Hire an Indigenous student this summer and we’ll pay their wages! Visit the Education and Training Youth Program information page to find out more and to apply. Click here: https://qalipu.ca/youth-programs/
*Applications are due by April 2nd 2021, at noon.
A Bag A Walk
Along the shores of Black Bank Beach, it will not go unnoticed the positive environmental impact one woman has made in her community. Nancy Pearson of St. George’s, Newfoundland continues to dedicate her time to raise awareness of the ocean pollution across our province, simply by taking a bag on her daily walk! She first noticed the excessive pollution, both being dumped and washing up on the beach, when she would venture out with the family dog, Pixel. Wanting to involve her community in her efforts, she planned a Black Bank clean up in 2017 which became an annual event due to the positive feedback she received. Nancy decided that she wanted to bring awareness to a larger audience, so she created her Instagram account “@abagawalk” which promotes picking up a bag of garbage every time you are out for a walk. Her account has quickly gained global popularity, amassing hundreds of followers from all over the world. To encourage participation, Nancy introduced giveaways for followers to enter. Followers would submit photos of themselves with a bag of garbage they picked up from their walk, entering them into the monthly giveaway. These giveaways allowed Nancy to reach a broader audience, with giveaway winners from far and wide, including Turkey, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Nancy’s goal is to recruit as many people as she can to join the movement to end polluting of the oceans and encourage the cleaning of waste in our natural environments. The easiest way to join the movement is to start going for walks and bringing along a bag to pick up any garbage you come across. Social media is a great platform for spreading awareness on important issues, including the fight against pollution. Anyone who picks up garbage on their walks are welcome to submit an entry to “@abagawalk”, where your photo can be posted and help promote the cause while inspiring others to take part as well. In addition, your name will be entered into a draw, where you can win prizes such as reusable face masks, bracelets, and hair scrunchies, all of which are handmade by Nancy. If you wish to share your photos to your personal social media accounts, especially those on Instagram, Nancy encourages anyone to tag @abagawalk for her to reshare it with her followers!
https://www.instagram.com/abagawalk/
Participating in this movement not only has a great impact on environment, but also to our health! It has been proven that being outdoors in nature can significantly reduce the effects of some mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression. Walking is also a great form of exercise, which can improve your cardiovascular health, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Since COVID-19 is still very prominent in all our lives, it is more important now than ever that we take time out of our day to get outside and exercise. Overall, combining both daily walks and picking up waste will not only help improve your health, but it will also leave you feeling accomplished as you make a noticeable difference in your community, our beaches, and oceans that can continue to be enjoyed for years to come!
Written by Jameson Pearson