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Qalipu Cultural Foundation and Parks Canada partner to Deliver Gros Morne Indigenous Cultural Festival

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May 4, 2017, Steady Brook, NL—Qalipu First Nation and Parks Canada today reaffirmed their longstanding partnership and shared commitment to natural and cultural heritage conservation and education with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).  Following the signing, the partners announced an exciting initiative to be co-hosted by the Qalipu Cultural Foundation and Parks Canada this summer.  The Gros Morne Indigenous Cultural Festival will take place on August 4-6, 2017 in Cow Head, NL at the Shallow Bay day use area.

Parks Canada representatives Geoff Hancock, Superintendent (Western Field Unit) and Bill Brake, Superintendent (Eastern Field Unit), along with Sherry Dean, Chair of the Qalipu Cultural Foundation and Qalipu Chief, Brendan Mitchell, were on hand at Qalipu First Nation’s inaugural Indigenous Tourism Forum to announce the event to some fifty indigenous tourism operators, delegates and special guests.

Sherry Dean, Chairperson of the Qalipu Cultural Foundation shared details about the Gros Morne Indigenous Cultural Festival.  She said, “The Festival will focus on teachings, cultural celebration and experiences set in the beautiful Gros Morne National Park.  On day one of the Festival, you will have an opportunity to experience firsthand some Indigenous practices and traditions, as well as the beliefs and customs guiding them.  We’ll discover things like how to prepare for a sweat lodge, and what to expect when you get there.  Visitors will also learn some dance steps, music, and etiquette when attending a powwow. We are really excited to share in this unique celebration with Parks Canada.”

Dean went on to say that the second day of the Festival would be organized as a mini-powwow event; a day of ceremony and celebration as Indigenous elders and performers from the island of Newfoundland, Labrador as well as Atlantic Canada share their culture through prayer, song, dance and drumming.  On the third and final day of the Festival, park staff and Indigenous partners will work together to deliver interpretive programs centred on a shared vision of ecological conservation and connecting with nature.

Superintendent Geoffrey Hancock spoke to the value Parks Canada places on working with Indigenous groups and communities saying, “Parks Canada recognizes the incredible contribution Indigenous communities have made and continue to make to the social and cultural fabric of our country. Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, we have worked with our Indigenous partners to build a culture of mutual respect and co-operation which has been formally recognized with the signing of this MOU. This year, we are especially proud to be working with Qalipu First Nation on an event to be held in Gros Morne National Park that will celebrate the diversity and vitality of Indigenous cultures in our province as part of the celebrations taking place to underscore Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.”

The Tourism Forum, and the upcoming Indigenous Cultural Festival announced today, are important markers of progress towards the implementation of the Band’s Tourism Strategy and Implementation Plan.

In 2016, the Qalipu First Nation developed a comprehensive Tourism Strategy together with a Five-Year Implementation Plan. This Tourism Strategy, branded as Experience Qalipu, aligns its objectives with the economic evolution of Qalipu First Nation. It is designed to contribute in a coordinated and synergistic way to on-going community capacity building, to offer new opportunities for personal and business growth and to reinforce the credibility and profile of the Band to tourism customers and a broad range of potential partners.

For more information about the festival please contact Mitch Blanchard, Qalipu Resource Coordinator at 634-8046

Media:

Alison White
Communications Officer Qalipu First Nation
(709) 634-5163
awhite@qalipu.ca

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Work at our Provincial Mi’kmaq Museum this Summer!

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Work at our Provincial Mi’kmaq Museum this Summer!

This summer, be part of the youth team telling the stories of our Mi’kmaq history in Ktaqmkuk, the land across the water.  The St. George’s Indian Band is currently seeking applications for three positions.  See below for some information on the museum from the band’s website, and a link to the application information.

“Seal Rocks was the largest and principle Mi’kmaq settlement on the West Coast of Newfoundland. It was established in 1804 as permanent settlement for the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland and for the resettlement of the Mi’kmaq from Nova Scotia. Mi’kmaq oral tradition maintains occupation of the area is ancient.

To celebrate this rich culture a local historic old building has been renovated to house a cultural museum and interpretation center. This museum is the first and only official Mi’kmaw cultural historic museum for the island of Newfoundland. The significance of the tremendous contribution of our Mi’kmaq ancestors to Bay St. George will be recognized, celebrated and given its proper place.

The K’Taqmkuk Mi’kmaw Cultural Historic Museum is now what used to be the courthouse, pictured to the right, the outside of the building has been restored back to its’ former grandeur and the inside houses the K’taqmkuk Mi’kmaq Museum. It is located at Main Street, St. George’s, NL. The courthouse was built in 1903 and is one of three of its kind in the province of NL. The building has seen many changes over the years with it being a courthouse, jail, police station, post office, housed a medical clinic, public health and it was then turned over to the St. George’s Indian Band for the sum of one dollar! The St. George’s Indian Band Council has worked to turn this beautiful site into a cultural experience for all to see. The courthouse, which it is still called by the townspeople, is a large part of the rich history for the St. George’s area.”

http://www.sgibnl.ca/ktaqmkuk-mikmaw-cultural-historic-museum-newfoundland/

 Click here to apply

Indigenous Women and Girl Image

Reach out to Have your Voice Heard at the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

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The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls has announced that hearings will start soon. As the Inquiry’s Executive Director told us, if family members, loved ones and survivors don’t tell the Inquiry they are out there and want to talk, the National Inquiry won’t know they exist.

– Family members, loved ones, and survivors of violence who want to speak to the Inquiry, at a public hearing or in private, need to write to the Inquiry a simple letter, or give the Inquiry a quick call, to say “I want to speak to the Inquiry”. That’s it. If they do that much, the Inquiry will take over from there and make sure that person participates, and receives any needed travel (flights, hotels, taxis, meals, etc.) and other supports.

– “Family members” includes “adopted family members, foster care relatives, and even really close friends.”

– To contact the Inquiry, family members, loved ones and survivors of violence should call the Inquiry toll-free at 1-844-348-4119 or email at Profile@mmiwg-ffada.ca. or you may call Arlene Blanchard-White at 709-214-0256 or email ablanchard-white@qalipu.ca

– Please note there is also a 24-hour Crisis Line for anyone who may want support at any time; that number is toll-free 1-844-413-6649.

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Click Here for the Survey

Assessment of Health Promotion Needs and Cultural and Traditional Practices of Qalipu First Nation Members

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Members Wanted as Participants for a Research Study

During the 60 years that passed before the recognition of Qalipu First Nation in 2011, our people experienced a loss from their cultural and traditional practices. Being an off-reserve landless Band makes us unique from other First Nations and, according to what some may say, may be responsible for a grassroots disconnection.

Research indicates that culture impacts individual and community health, as it influences interaction with the health care system and engagement in health programs and services (National Aboriginal Health Organization, 2008). In both the Federation of Newfoundland Indians Health Needs Assessment (2010) and Qalipu First Nation’s Healing Waters Study (2015), members indicated that culture was important to them in terms of overall health, and they identified a need for more culturally appropriate health initiatives.

To further investigate these findings, Qalipu First Nation’s Health Division is conducting a research study that will assess our members’ needs for health promotion initiatives, and help us gain a better understanding of their cultural and traditional practices with respect to health.

Survey participants will be asked to answer questions about what their needs are for health promotion initiatives, as well as what aspects of Mi’kmaq culture and traditions are most significant to them. Survey data will be collected through on-line, paper format, or through face-to-face or telephone interviews. Paper format surveys will be mailed out to members at their request. Face-to-face and telephone interviews will be conducted by a researcher. The on-line and paper format surveys will take 10-30 minutes to complete; face-to-face and telephone interviews may take up to 90 minutes.

To participate in this study, participants must be a registered member of Qalipu First Nation and be at least 18 years of age. They must be able to communicate in the English language.

Participants who complete the survey may benefit by participating in this survey by feeling that their opinions and desires regarding health promotion initiatives have been heard. Subsequently, they may be more inclined to engage in health promotion initiatives due to QFN integrating an approach in health promotion activities that are suited towards Mi’kmaq cultural and traditional practices. It is also possible that the benefits of this study may result in improved health outcomes of Qalipu First Nation members.

To learn more about or participate in this research study, please contact Jenna Osmond, Manager of Health, Qalipu First Nation.

 Jenna Osmond, Manager of Health Services, Qalipu First Nation
Telephone: (709) 634-5041
E-mail: josmond@qalipu.ca

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Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k April 2017 Newsletter

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Well it’s April, spring is finally here, and I’m happy to say there is still much good news to report on.

In this edition of Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k, I’m really excited to share that Qalipu will be hosting an Indigenous Tourism Forum on May 4th at Marble Inn in Steady Brook.   The forum will feature guest speakers from the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, and there will be an exciting tourism announcement by Qalipu Chief Brendan Mitchell and Parks Canada Superintendent Geoff Hancock.  Finally, delegates will benefit from an afternoon of specialized training with Cal Martin of Frog in the Pocket.   Find more details and a link to apply on page 7.

Did you hear that we have a new Band Manager? Keith Goulding has been a dedicated and strong leader as a Director at Qalipu for the past six years.  This April, he stepped up to take on the prominent position of Band Manager, leading staff and working with the Chief and Council.  Find the press release on page 2.

On page 3, find out about upcoming workshops and training opportunities happening soon with Qalipu and the Cultural Foundation.  Here, you’ll also find links to the latest Council Meeting Report, and reports on all the End of Enrolment Community Tours.

On page 8, we finally get around to congratulating one of our own community leaders, Judy White, who recently became the CEO for the Assembly of First Nations.  Ben Bennett, Ward Councilor for her home community of Flat Bay, wanted to make sure congratulations was announced by the Band.  Congratulations Judy!

How about a good Mi’kmaq ghost story? Check page 5.  Try page 9 for the point of view of one of our members, Brenda Paul, on the Daniels Symposium she recently attended with Chief and Council.

Find all this and lots more in Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k.

Click here to view this month’s newsletter

All the best,

Alison

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Click Here to Register for the Forum

Qalipu to Host Indigenous Tourism Forum

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In 2016, the Qalipu First Nation developed a comprehensive Tourism Strategy together with a Five Year Implementation Plan. This Tourism Strategy, branded as Experience Qalipu, aligns its objectives with the economic evolution of Qalipu First Nation. It is designed to contribute in a coordinated and synergistic way to on-going community capacity building, to offer new opportunities for personal and business growth and to reinforce the credibility and profile of the Band to tourism customers and a broad range of potential partners. The Strategy recognizes the singular nature of Qalipu: as the largest by, membership, and newest Band in Canada; as a Band without reserve land; as First Nations people spread across nine Wards and deeply entrenched in the broader community. Already this year, Qalipu has begun the implementation phase of its strategy; building the Experience Qalipu brand, developing wayfinding signage, developing plans for territory gateways and other infra-structure development projects, and providing tourism training to member businesses and organiza-tions. Qalipu is currently planning an Indigenous Tourism Forum scheduled for May 4th in Steady Brook. To register for this event please click above, or call Nicole Companion at 709 634 8043

Afternoon Session: Connect your Visitors to Story with Dynamic Interpretation with Cal Martin

Cal Martin lives and breathes interpretation. For over 25 years, he has connected people and places through interpretive programming, signage, and ex-hibits. Ranging from front line interpreter to manager, Cal has worked for Parks Canada, Manitoba Provin-cial Parks, the Vancouver Aquarium, Assiniboine Park Zoo, and MetroVancouver Regional Parks.

Thoroughly passionate about interpretation, he has presented at numerous national and international conferences, and delivered training to over 50 muse-ums, parks, and sites. Cal has also published arti-cles in Interpscan and Legacy magazines, and writes for the international interpretive blog Media Platypus.

Cal has been on the National Executive Board of Interpretation Canada since 2003, holding the posi-tions of Chair, Past Chair, and Treasurer.

Qalipu Indigenous Tourism Forum
May 4th, 2017
Marble Inn, Steady Brook
Agenda

8:00-9:00 AM               Networking Breakfast

9:00-9:30 AM               Tara Saunders and Ralph Eldrdige present Qalipu Tourism Strategy

9:30-10:15 AM             Jonathan Foster, GMIST and Experiential Tourism Training Opportunities

10:15-10:30 AM           Nutrition Break

10:30-11:15  AM          HNL’s Juanita Ford will be presenting on labour market highlights.

11:15  AM                    Special Tourism Announcement! Chief Brendan Mitchell and Western NL Field Unit Geoff Hancock

12:00 PM                     Lunch

12:30-4:30 PM             Training Seminar for Craft Producers and Tourism Operators Cal Martin delivers an interactive                                                                 seminar “Connecting Visitors to Story via Dynamic Interpretation”

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Archived Enrolment Information Popup

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Please Check Here for Updates on the Qalipu Enrolment Process

Public Notices

The Enrolment Committee is reassessing the applications of people who were denied founding membership in the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation in 2017. The Enrolment Committee expects to be finished those reassessments in Winter 2020.

These applicants were sent information about the Wells Implementation in a letter dated January 31, 2019. They were offered an opportunity to submit additional documentation to meet the self-identification criterion.

Update for individuals affected by the implementation of the Wells decision in the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation enrollment process: the Enrollment Committee decision letters will be sent on July 13, 2020. For more information, visit: Canada.ca/qalipu-first-nation

If your address has recently changed, please update it by contacting the Government of Canada’s Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation line at 1-800-561-2266.

*Update March 27, 2017 – Deadline for applicants/members to file an appeal has been extended to April 13, 2017

“Although the ‘Instructions for Submitting and Appeal’ indicates that your Appeal Notice must be witnessed, all appeal notices completed by applicants eligible to appeal (witnessed or not witnessed) and submitted on or before April 13, 2017, will be considered by the Appeal Master.”

Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) Appealing on Behalf of Some Applicants, Notifications Arriving in the Mail *April 7, 2017
Important Notice: Eligibility to Appeal *March 15, 2017
Public Notice Changes to Appeal Deadline *Feb 20, 2017
Information on Criteria of Group Acceptance through Residency *Feb 14, 2017
Public Notice Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Enrolment Process Applicants Found Ineligible Based on Self-ID *Feb 10, 2017

Membership Search Service – Were You Already a Member of an Existing Band?

If you were a documented band member in one of Newfoundland’s Mi’kmaq bands prior to the signing of the Agreement in Principle (AIP) on June 23, 2008, then your name should be on the master list of band members that was compiled at that time.  The Mi’kmaq bands of Newfoundland that were recognized for inclusion at the time of the AIP included the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI), Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance, Benoit First Nation and Sip’kop Mi’kmaq Band.

Click here for more information

End of Enrollment Support Team

At Qalipu First Nation, we are doing everything we can to offer support for our members and applicants. We have put in place an End of Enrolment Support Team including Enrolment Assistants that will be available to take your call or meet with you in one of our four office locations –  St. George’s, Corner Brook, Glenwood and Grand Falls-Windsor.

To contact our End of Enrolment Support Team:

St. Georges:  709 647 3514
Glenwood:  855 263 6440 (toll free) or 709 679 2338
Grand Falls-Windsor:  709 489 2898
Corner Brook:  844 368 7160 (toll free) or 709 634 4010
*Toll Free (in Newfoundland only)

Are you looking for more information about Enrolment? Find it here:

End of Enrolment Q & A: Appeals Process
End of Enrolment Q & A: General Information

Are you interested in the history leading up to the creation of our First Nation, including where we are today? Click the link below for a summary:

Backgrounder
Road to Recognition of the Newfoundland Mi’kmaq-History

Would you like to review all the details of the Agreement and related documents? Find these documents here:

How about the Supplemental Agreement?

What has Chief Mitchell been saying about the end of Enrolment? Click on the links below to hear from our Chief in news items posted by the Qalipu First Nation.

Message from the Chief – March 31 2017
Statement Regarding Ottawa Meeting
Qalipu First Nation Disappointed by Enrolment Outcome
Christmas Greetings from the Chief
Chief to Demonstrators: I have an obligation to act in the best interest of our First Nation
Video: Chief Mitchell talks Enrolment at Corner Brook Café

 

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Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) Appealing on Behalf of Some Applicants, Notifications Arriving in the Mail

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In February 2017, Chief Brendan Mitchell announced that the FNI Board would exercise its rights under the Agreement in Principle to issue its own appeal where FNI lawyers identified potential grounds to do so.  Based on advice received from the FNI lawyers, they were instructed to initiate those appeals and this process is now underway.

This week, approximately 3100 appellants have begun to receive notification of this process in the mail titled Appeal Notice of FNI. The letter indicates that “the FNI believes a mistake or error was made and that the documentation submitted with your application demonstrates that you do meet the requirements to become a Founding Member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation.”

 For those who were unaware of this action of the FNI, there may understandably be some confusion.  The Appeal Notice of FNI letter does not change the decision of the Enrolment Committee of which applicants and members were notified on January 31, 2017.  It simply indicates that the FNI believes a mistake or error was made and is subsequently appealing that decision of the Enrolment Committee on the applicant’s behalf.

Steve May of Cox and Palmer, legal counsel for the FNI, explains the real meaning of these letters.   He said, “under the Agreement, when a party issues an Appeal, the Applicant is to be notified.  The reasons for this are to let them know of the appeal and to give them the opportunity to structure or revise their own appeals accordingly based on the grounds of the FNI appeal.”

Brendan Mitchell, Chief of the Qalipu First Nation, is hopeful that this legal action may lead to some positive outcomes on behalf of appellants.  “However,” he states, “Those with a right of appeal should not rely solely on the appeal being made by the FNI.  Please ensure that your appeal is sent, post marked no later than April 13, 2017.”

Chief Mitchell also clarified that the ability of the FNI to appeal decisions of the Enrolment Committee is part of the Agreement that created the First Nation and does not constitute legal counsel for the appellants named in its appeal.