On July 26, 2019, a mass was held at the St. Joseph’s Parish in St. George’s to honour St. Anne, the patron Saint of the Mi’kmaq people.  There was a large turnout for the event, which included a community feast after the mass, with people in attendance from all around Bay St. George and Bay of Islands region.

The Mi’kmaq people are known for honouring their elders. The love, wisdom and teachings of our grandparents are important to us. Some say this is the reason why St. Anne, the mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus, is so revered and celebrated in our culture.  It was a very special day for all to gather in celebration of St. Anne, and the role of our community elders and leaders in passing down knowledge, tradition and culture to the next generation.

Qalipu First Nation wishes to thank and acknowledge the following donations, volunteers and service providers:

 

Donations and Volunteers:

St. Joseph’s Parish Church and Father Maurice O’Quinn—partnered to deliver the St. Anne’s Day Mass

St. George’s Indian Band –provided funding for St. Anne’s medallion gift giveaway and loaned St. Anne statue.

Indian Cove Women’s Circle—provided funding to cover cost of church service

St. Joseph’s Parish Gentleman’s Group—Parish Hall rental given in kind

Community women who volunteered by making sandwiches for the feast

St. Joseph’s Parish Choir with Director Andy Tobin

Drummers from around the region who provided music for the procession

Western Region Vice Chief Keith Cormier who sang Amazing Grace in Mi’kmaq

Spruce Root Basket: Melvin White

White Roses: collected from community people from Stephenville, Stephenville Crossing and St. George’s

Smudge: Gail Hickey

St. Anne Bearer: Judy Falle

Greeters: Noelle Blanchard and Alex Brake-Hetherington

Readers: Alice Miles and Alison White

Mi’kmaq Reflection: St. George’s Indian Band Chief Marlene Farrell

Altar Servers: Elton White, Linda Pieroway, Bertie Garnier

Eucharistic Ministers: Alice Miles, Dina Sheppard and Florence Young

St. Joseph’s Parish Ladies Guild

Tilla Brake, Country Kitchen and Crafts

July 29, 2019 – Corner Brook, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Tourism is a key contributor to the Atlantic Canadian economy. It generates new economic activities, creates good paying jobs for the middle class and diversifies communities. The industry also offers tremendous opportunity for further growth in areas like Indigenous tourism.

Recognizing the opportunities that exist in Indigenous tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Qalipu First Nation is undertaking various activities as part of the implementation of its Experience Qalipu Tourism Strategy. The five-year strategy will help to further develop and promote Indigenous tourism in the province, enhance community capacity and build stronger Indigenous communities.

Phase I of the strategy included creating a database of member tourism businesses, enhancing on-line entrepreneurial skills training, developing a marketing plan, hosting a tourism forum, designing signage and displays and conducting facilitation training. Phase II involves further analysis and design of tourism assets, hosting an additional tourism forum, advanced facilitation training, infrastructure improvements and tourism product development.

The Government of Canada is providing a non-repayable contribution of $418,257 and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $157,892 towards phases I and II of the tourism strategy.

Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with Scott Reid, MHA for St. George’s-Humber, on behalf of the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of  Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII), made the announcement today.

These investments build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the  Atlantic Growth Strategy by helping the region’s tourism industry attract more visitors and create new jobs. This bold approach is in line with  Canada’s Tourism Vision, which seeks to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.

 

Quotes

“Indigenous tourism is a key part of Canada’s growing tourism industry. It is outpacing the growth of this sector overall, as more and more travellers are coming here to experience Indigenous cultures and heritage. Our government is committed to making sure this growth continues by helping Indigenous communities across the country showcase their authentic products, traditions and histories, while generating new economic opportunities and creating good middle-class jobs.”

–     The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

 

“Our investment in this initiative will better position the Qalipu First Nation to advance Indigenous tourism in our province, encourage entrepreneurship and foster economic development in Indigenous communities. We are proud of our partnership with the Qalipu First Nation and I commend their commitment to seizing new opportunities to promote Indigenous culture and history and build a strong and sustainable tourism industry that will draw more visitors seeking authentic cultural experiences.”

–     Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for Long Range Mountains on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of        Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

 

“This investment will allow the Qalipu First Nation to continue to enhance economic development opportunities in key areas such as tourism. One of the top recommendations from the Destination Development Plan for tourism operators is to focus more on building program-and people-based experiences and understanding visitor profiles that will drive visitation. Many of the elements of the Experience Qalipu Tourism Strategy are aligned with this recommendation. This project will help to ensure the stories, traditions and beliefs of the Mi’kmaq are captured as a vital part of this region’s growth and development.”

–     The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

 

“Qalipu First Nation is appreciative of this funding and the ability to support our Indigenous tourism providers. We look forward to the next phase of our five-year Experience Qalipu Tourism Development Strategy and any opportunity to support Indigenous tourism on the provincial level, including our collaboration with the Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous Tourism Working Group.”

–     Brendan Mitchell, Chief, Qalipu First Nation

 

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $398,338 in this project through ACOA’s  Business Development Program and $19,919 from the Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

• The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $157,892 towards this project.

• The Experience Qalipu Tourism Strategy focuses on developing market-ready cultural experiences and other tourism products throughout Mi’kmaq communities, connecting the visitor to the vibrant culture of the Mi’kmaq people and forming strong partnerships within the industry to lead to a strengthened economy and culture.

• Officially formed in 2011, the Qalipu First Nation is the largest Indian Act Band in Atlantic Canada and represents over 20,000 members who live in nine Wards throughout Central and Western Newfoundland.

It has come to our attention that unauthorized persons have listed one or more fake employment opportunities using the Qalipu Band name and logo.

These false listings may be an attempt by malicious parties to collect private information.

To recognize an authentic job posting with Qalipu, look for the apply to address, jobopportunities@qalipu.ca which we use for all job postings. You can also check our website career page Here. If it’s not on our website, it isn’t our job posting.

The NL Indigenous Tourism Working Group has set out to create a 5-Year Indigenous Tourism Strategy in order to mobilize a Provincial Indigenous Tourism Association that will strengthen and support the development and growth of the Indigenous tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

On June 18, 2019, the Working Group met in Goose Bay, Labrador rolling up their sleeves to plan out the critical elements in establishing Newfoundland and Labrador’s Indigenous Tourism Association (NLITA). The team covered everything from governance and operational aspirations to people, process and budget. It was an intense day with outstanding results, all produced and powered by the group’s knowledge of their communities and passion for preserving culture through tourism.  One of the motivating factors for the team throughout the day was the commitment to champion grassroots tourism, where communities and people will be at the heart and forefront of tourism development in the province. The day concluded with a clear and concise plan on how to mobilize NLITA.

In support of establishing NLITA’s 5-Year Strategy, we want to hear the voices of all Indigenous tourism stakeholders throughout the province, including Indigenous community members, operators and partners. Be part of NLITA’s grassroots movement and have your voice heard by sharing your thoughts with a 15-minute phone interview and/or by taking our 10-minute survey, which could give you a chance to win a $250 prepaid Visa gift card!

Complete our 10-min online survey: Click Here

Sign up for a one-on-one phone interview: Click Here

The next meeting of Council will be held at 10 am on Thursday, July 18, 2019 in the Qalipu Community Room at 1 Church Street, Corner Brook.

To register, please contact Tina Diamond at 634-5111 or email council@qalipu.ca with your Full Name and Band Reg #.

From August 6-9 2019, The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and Qalipu Cultural Foundation are partnering to host the Junior Police Academy at Killdevil Camp.   This camp is designed to create stronger relationships with youth (ages 10-12 years old) and police as well as with other community partners.

Participants will have an opportunity to take part in this fun filled and educational camping experience, where the RNC and partner organizations will foster stronger and healthier relationships between the participants and the police by breaking down historical barriers.  The Junior Police Academy will enhance participant learning on a variety of topics by providing a healthy, active and unplugged environment where they will be educated on the benefits of healthy, responsible decision making. Youth at the camp will receive education on a variety of topics including (but not limited to) healthy eating, decision making and lifestyle choices, bicycle safety, fire safety, environmental sustainability, police investigative techniques and Mi’kmaq cultural awareness.

For youth who attend the camp, transportation will be provided from Corner Brook to Killdevil and return (transportation to and from Corner Brook is the participants responsibility). Transportation can be arranged for pickup and drop off in Deer Lake for those youth and volunteers that are east of Deer Lake (transportation to and from Deer Lake is the participants responsibility).  While at the camp, all accommodations and meals will be provided. Participants will be asked to bring their own sleeping bag, or bedding, and their own clothing.

To facilitate this event, we are currently seeking volunteer chaperons. Volunteers will be responsible for general supervision of youth during the camp. All accommodations and meals will be provided to volunteers while at the camp. Volunteers will be asked to bring their own sleeping bag or bedding and their own clothing.

If you are interested in being a volunteer or are seeking additional information, please contact Nicole Travers.

Youth participant click here for the RNC Junior Police Academy 2019 application

Volunteer Chaperons click here for Volunteer Application

Deadline to apply is July 15, 2019

All participant and volunteer application forms can be submitted to Mitch Blanchard, Resource Coordinator at 3 Church Street Corner Brook, NL or faxed to: 709-639-4706 or via email ntravers@qalipu.ca

Sponsored by:
United Way Newfoundland and Labrador
Communities Foundation of Canada – Canada 150