Breaking news

Update on the Review of Applications Previously Determined to be Invalid in the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Enrolment Process

April 13, 2016 – Ottawa, ON – Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, and Brendan Mitchell, Chief of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation, provided an update on the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Enrolment Process.

In March, Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) announced they will give individuals the opportunity to correct and provide additional documentation in support of their application for review by the Enrolment Committee.

This decision is a result of collaborative efforts between Canada and the FNI to give a broad application to the Foster and Howse court decisions and provide applicants a fair opportunity to demonstrate they should be founding members of the First Nation.

Click here to read the full release

Mattie Mitchell site gmnp

Work with Parks Canada this Summer!

Would you like to work in with an organization known throughout the world?  Parks Canada protects some of the most special places in Canada, including Gros Morne National Park, L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site and Port au Choix National Historic Site on the west coast of Newfoundland.  

This summer, in partnership with the Qalipu First Nation, Parks Canada is offering unique employment opportunities to Qalipu students and members.

Employment opportunities include Park Attendant, Heritage Presenter, Interpreter and Resource Conservation Technician Student.

Click here to view job descriptions and how to apply

*Deadline: All applications must be received by 4:00 P.M. on Friday April 22nd, 2016.
Thank you to all applicants who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Ralph Eldridge, Director of Service Qalipu, with Dave Feaver, General Manager at Parkway Hyundai

Qalipu Members Receive $500 off Vehicle Purchase

We are pleased to announce that for the month of April Parkway Hyundai in Corner Brook will waive the $500 fee for vehicle delivery to Conne River.  This deal has come about as part of a Qalipu First Nation initiative seeking companies that can offer group discounts, promotions and other benefits to our membership.

Dave Feaver, General Manager at Parkway Hyundai, has started a promotion that many of our members will be pleased to hear about.  If you buy a new car with Hyundai this month, you won’t have to pay the added cost of having it delivered to the Conne River reserve.

The standard price in Corner Brook to have a dealership transport the vehicle from Corner Brook to Conne River to is $500.  This savings, combined with other deals being offered this month including dealer invoice pricing and increasing trade-in values by $500, is a deal we know that our members will want to know about.

Visit the Parkway Hyundai website here

Note: The $100.00 administrative fee charged in Conne River is not included in this promotion.

Addiction way out problem sign. Prevention and cure addiction problem concept.

Dealing with Addictions

Drug and alcohol addictions affect more than the addicted person; relationships, families and communities all feel the impact of what are often harmful and dangerous addictive behaviors.

Part of the role of the Qalipu Health Services division is to help bring awareness to the programs and services that are available to indigenous communities, and to help individuals receive the care that they need.

If you or someone you know is battling an addiction, you may want to consider exploring Health Canada’s National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP).

The NNADAP community-based programming includes:

  • Prevention
  • Health promotion
  • Early detection and intervention
  • Referral
  • Aftercare
  • Follow-up services

Please click here for more information on NNADAP.

The services available through NNADAP are integrated with a national network of addiction treatment centres which provide culturally relevant in-patient and outpatient programming.To find out more about these treatment centres, click here.

NNADAP can be covered under the NIHB program. If you or someone you known is battling an addiction contact Howard Thistle, Qalipu Mi’Kmaq First Nation’s NIHB Navigator, at 1-855-675-5743 or 1-709-679-5743 to find out more about NNADAP.

PS Yvonne Jones Qalipu Vice Chief Joe Bouzanne Qalipu Chief Brendan Mitchell Minister Carolyn Bennett and Qalipu Vice Chief Erica Samms Hurley

Qalipu Council Executive meet with Minister Carolyn Bennett

On Sunday, April 3, 2016 Chief Brendan Mitchell, western region Vice-Chief Erica Samms Hurley and central region Vice-Chief Joe Bouzanne, traveled to St. John’s to meet with the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs.

Chief Mitchell noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss some aspects of the Qalipu enrolment file, and economic development in Qalipu territory.  He said “this meeting was positive in a number of respects.  We will continue to work with this government to improve the overall situation for Qalipu and its members.”

Following their meeting, the group traveled with Minister Bennett and her party to the St. John’s Native Friendship Centre.  Chief Mitchell reported that they received a very warm welcome at the Centre, where they spent some time working on a craft, drumming, and were treated to cake and refreshments.

Rise Up Walk

Qalipu Supports Rise Up Walk to End Violence

On Sunday, April 3, the Qalipu First Nation organized a walk and reception in St. George’s for Conrad Burns, a young First Nations man who will walk 7000+ km across Canada to raise awareness about violence and abuse.  You can follow Conrad’s journey on Twitter @Conradburns #riseup, or on Facebook by searching “Rise UP Saskatchewan”.

Get the full story and more pictures in the April edition of Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k, due out April 22, 2016.

scenery

Chiefs Message – March 2016

 

Kwe’,

It is my pleasure to bring greetings once again with this monthly message.  It is a privilege to be Chief of this Nation.  I ask Kisu’lk (Creator) today, and every day, for guidance to best serve the people I represent.  I pray too that this message finds each of you in good health and looking forward to more sun and warmer temperatures with the near arrival of spring.

There are many reasons to be proud when I look back on the past few weeks.  Qalipu staff did an excellent job in the organization and delivery of our annual business forum, Mawio’mi.  I personally attended this event and was pleased to see a high number of indigenous businesses participating, and presentations from local development leaders.  The youth element of the event was perhaps the best part.  For the first time our Mawio’mi Business Forum included students from around Atlantic Canada who actively participated in the Forum.  The students also participated in break out groups to analyze a business scenario and come up with a solution.  The professionalism and the well put together presentations from these young people gives me confidence in the future.

Another highlight this past month was the opportunity to visit the Miawpukek First Nation along with several of the Qalipu Councilors.  We met at their headquarters, learned about their governance and activities and had a tour around Conne River.  We also met with Qalipu members that are living in that area.  This was a great opportunity to get to know each other better, and to build on the relationship between our two Nations, both Mi’kmaq with shared history.  We anticipate that Chief Mise’l Joe and some of the Miawpukek Councilors will be visiting Qalipu territory in May.  We look forward to the opportunity to connect and build on this important relationship.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to point out several Town Hall Meetings that are coming up in our Wards in the near future.  April 3-Grand Falls-Windsor, April 4-Gander, April 16-St. George’s and April 17-Flat Bay.  You will find the particulars of these meetings in our monthly newsletter, attached.  It is important that members take the opportunity to come out to these meetings and connect with their Ward Councilors.

Wela’lioq (Thank you to all of you)

Chief Brendan Mitchell

Click here to read our monthly newsletter, Maw-pemita’jik Qalipu’k

Group of six boys, team sitting on the grass with balls happy and smiling, on sunny summer day

Notice for Mi’kmaq Athletes 14-16 Years of Age who are Interested in Tryouts for a Spot on Team Mi’kmaq in the NL Summer Games

 

(Published March 18, 2016)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Winter and Summer Games will now include Aboriginal Teams from each Aboriginal Nation beginning at the Summer Games, to be held in August, 2016, in CBS, NL. Therefore, in the 2016 NL Summer Games we have the opportunity to enter a Team Mi’kmaq.

The Aboriginal Sports Circle intends to enter teams in the following sports: Swimming, Golf, Track and Field and beach volleyball.

To identify our Mi’kmaq athletes, the Aboriginal Sports Circle would like to know where your children attend school, their name, age and grade, and which of the 4 sports for the 2016 Games they would like to try out for. Your child can try out for all 4 if they wish, but can only compete in one sport. The NL Summer Games will be very competitive. All athletes who compete will be trying to do their best and be noticed as a candidate for the 2017 NL Canada Games Team. We will be assessing the aboriginal athletes and coaches for the 2017 North American Indigenous Games to be held in Toronto.

For full details, and to complete the questionnaire identifying our student athletes, please click here.

Sport coach training a young attractive woman on a stadium

Wanted: Aboriginal Coaches for 2016 NL Games

(Published March 15, 2016)

In preparation for the 2016 NL Summer Games, the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle is pleased to accept applications for coaching positions for Aboriginal Teams at these upcoming Games. We will be accepting applications for coaching in the following sports:

-Athletics
-Beach Volleyball
-Golf
-Swimming.

If this opportunity interests you, please provide a written expression of interest, outlining certification and/or relevant experience and qualifications, to either of the ASRCNL staff listed below by March 31, 2016:

Mike Alexander BSG Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle
129 Montana Drive
2nd Floor, Rm 228
Stephenville, NL A2N 2T4
Ph: (709) 643-3130
Fax: (709) 643-3150
e-mail bsgasrc@nf.aibn.com