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RNC JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY 2017 OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH & VOLUNTEERS

From August 8-11, 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 Mitch Blanchard.

Youth participant click here for the RNC Junior Police Academy 2017 application

Note: Deadline has been extended.

Volunteer Chaperons click here for Volunteer Application

Note: Deadline has been extended.

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 3997 or via email mblanchard@qalipu.ca

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

Multiethnic friends with coffee cups sitting near campfire on lakeshore

A Taste of the Great Outdoors

We’ve all roasted hot dogs and made smores but, you would be surprised about the culinary delights that can be prepared around an open fire.

Let Executive Chefs Frank Widmer and Alain Bosse be your guide to exploring the possibilities!

Accompanied by songs and storytelling by Mi’kmaq Park Interpreter Kevin Barnes and friends, the Chefs will incorporate Mi’kmaq traditional foods to show you how to create something beautiful in a hands-on, interactive evening around the campfire.

June 28, 2017 at 7:00 PM

Shallow Bay day use area, Cow Head (Gros Morne National Park)

This event is a partnership between Qalipu First Nation, Parks Canada and the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism.  Everyone is Welcome!

Little girl playing with colors

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Round Table

In partnership with the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, the Qalipu First Nation will host an Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Round Table in Corner Brook on July 5, 2017 from 10:00 am- 3:00 pm.

We would like to hear from a broad range of voices including parents, family members, communities, early childhood educators, youth, elders, and experts.  What is your vision for early learning and child care for indigenous children and families?

Food and refreshments will be provided.

Travel subsidy is available for people travelling from outside Corner Brook.

Please register by June 28, 2017 by contacting Vickie MacDonald by email at vmacdonald@qalipu.ca

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Judy White accepts new role as Assistant Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs

Qalipu First Nation is pleased to share that Ms. Judy White, a well- known Mi’kmaq leader from the community of Flat Bay, has accepted a position as the new Assistant Deputy Minister of Indigenous Affairs for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ms. White holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from Dalhousie Law School with emphasis on Aboriginal Law.  She has completed the Intensive Program of Lands, Resources and First Nations Government at Osgoode Hall Law School, as well as a certificate in Leading People’s and investing in sustainable communities, an Indigenous program at Harvard Business school.  Ms. White is also a certified board director through completing the Chartered Directors Program at McMaster University.

Her most recent role was Chief Executive Officer of the Assembly of First Nations, and has also worked as the Self Government Advisor for Miawpukek First Nation, and as a partner with the law firm of McDonald White located at Conne River, Newfoundland Labrador, which specializes in aboriginal law.

Ms. White has vast board and governance experience and has served many agencies and in various capacities including the National Centre for First Nations Governance, the First Nations Financial Management Board, Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Board of Regents for Memorial University and most recently the Small Departments Audit Committee.

Brendan Mitchell, Chief of the Qalipu First Nation, said, “Ms. White’s education, work experience and involvement with indigenous people, communities and organizations have equipped her with the means to accomplishing much in the position of ADM.  We can all be proud of her achievements and I look forward to working with and assisting her in her new role as Assistant Deputy Minister.  It’s great to have a true indigenous voice in this important position within Government.”

a group of women are sitting in a circle, discussing

Attention Women Trained or Working in Trades, or Currently Seeking Employment

Each year the Women’s Policy Office hosts Roundtables on the Economic Status of Women to share information, provide feedback and support, and develop strategies to improve women’s economic well-being. The Roundtables also provide a mechanism for the Women’s Policy Office to consult with stakeholders on the effectiveness of new and existing government policies and programs.

The next Roundtable scheduled for June 8th at the College of the North Atlantic in Corner Brook.  It will be delivered in partnership with the Office to Advance Women Apprentices (OAWA).

To register, women should call Karen Walsh at 757-5434 Ext. 240 or by email at kwalsh@womenapprentices.ca

Girl With Guitar in the Park. Little Caucasian Girl with Acoustic Guitar in Hands. Young Guitarist.

Call for Musicians and Artists- National Aboriginal Day Music and Sharing

National Aboriginal Day festivities will be held at Margaret Bowater Park in Corner Brook, June 21, 2017.  This special day will start with a sunrise ceremony in the Park, followed by a light breakfast at the Qalipu Community Room at 1 Church Street.  There will be a variety of activities for the whole family throughout the day starting at 10:00 AM.  Full schedule events coming soon.

As part of the day, we will host Music and Sharing, an opportunity for musicians, poets and dancers to take the stage and share something with all those gathered in celebration.  Individuals or groups welcome.

Please contact Mitch Blanchard at mblanchard@qalipu.ca or phone 634-8046 to add your name to Music and Sharing. Honorariums will be provided.  Deadline to add your name is June 16, 2017.

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Message from the Chief May 29, 2017

Kwe’

We made it through the winter and can now look forward to warmer temperatures, sunny days and time outside.  The Mi’kmaq of the island have weathered a lot together, still we find many things to be thankful for.

I am proud to share with you all that our Nation has again this year received an excellent rating in our General Assessment.  Our score of 2.2, gauging effectiveness of our processes, financial management and reporting and other areas that measure our accountability, was among the best of First Nations in Canada.   We are also poised to be the first Nation in Canada to implement an International Standards Organization (ISO) Quality Management System that is representative of our entire operation in the areas of education and training, health, tourism, employment, culture, economic development and natural resources.

Recently, I met with Chief Mise’l Joe of the Miawpukek First Nation.  Along with our respective senior management teams, we looked at mutual areas of interest where we might work collaboratively and speak with a united voice for indigenous rights and issues in Newfoundland.   I’m very excited about the possibilities that exist for teamwork between our Nations.

Also, this month we formalized a partnership with Parks Canada through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  The partnership between our organizations, leading back to FNI days, has been the source of many positive shared initiatives.  Mi’kmaq interpretation in the Park, summer employment opportunities for our members, development of a beautiful exhibit now stationed in our Mi’kmaq Museum, a travelling show that celebrated our Mi’kmaq heritage throughout the province and the very successful Outdoor Education Program which continues to benefit hundreds of our young people every year.  Perhaps most dear to my heart was the HSMBC commemoration, and opening of the exhibits and walking trail for my great grandfather Mattie Mitchell, a renowned Mi’kmaq hunter and guide.

Through the MOU, we have simply agreed to continue looking for opportunities to work together in areas of mutual interest as we have in the past.  This includes things like natural and cultural heritage resource conservation, public understanding and appreciation, visitor experience, conserving heritage places, providing education and outreach, and employment opportunities for our people to tell their own stories in a land where indigenous history reaches back well beyond 150 years.

As we come into the summer months, there are several exciting events coming up that many of us are looking forward to.  For the first time, the Exploits Aboriginal Community Group will host a Mawio’mi June 16-18 in central Newfoundland.  I expect there should be more detail about this event in the days to come.

As in previous years, our calendars are marked for the first and second weekends of July for our local Powwow Trail.  The Miawpukek First Nation Powwow will take place July 7-9th in Conne River, and the Bay St. George Mi’kmaq Powwow will take place in Flat Bay July 14-16th.

I hope to see all of you out and about this summer, supporting our community events and spending time together with friends and family.

Wela’lin

Chief Brendan Mitchell

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Commercial Space for Lease in Grand Falls – Windsor

There are no current spaces available for lease.

Location: 28 Hardy Avenue

Available: July 1, 2017

Approximately 790 square feet is available which is suitable for office or retail space.  Common Kitchen and bathroom areas.  Wheelchair accessible.  Large parking lot.  Centrally located.  Heat and light included.

For more information, please contact Rob Dicks at 634-6895 or email rdicks@qalipu.ca

Health

Healthy Lifestyles Elder and Youth Workshop

The Exploits Native Women’s Association (ENWA) in partnership with the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network (NAWN) are seeking participants in a six workshop project aimed at Aboriginal seniors in the Central NL area.

Seeking eight seniors (65+) and two youth between (16-20) . The aim of the workshops is to encourage our elders to become involved in our communities and maintain a healthy lifestyle on the four levels important to Aboriginal people: spiritual, physical, intellectual and emotional.

Youth are also sought to participate, in encouragement of that necessary connection between our past and our future.  The workshops are open to both female and male participants.

It is the intention of ENWA and NAWN that the participants have a great deal of involvement in deciding the direction of these workshops.  The first workshop is tentatively scheduled to start June 10, 2017, in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Seats are limited and should interest exceed the number allotted, a fair process will determine the participants.

If you are interested in attending please contact Pat Cameron email address newfie46@hotmail.com or Marie Eastman email address marieeastman@hotmail.com  or by phone 290-0675. The deadline for submission of names will be June 1, 2017.