Meeting of Chief and Council
The first official meeting of the newly elected Qalipu First Nation Chief and Council was held virtually on Saturday, February 15th, 2025.
Beothuk Repatriation Committee Appointment
During the last council term, Central Vice-Chief Andy Barker was the QFN representative on the Final Resting Place Committee with the Rooms NL. A motion was put forward to council to reappoint Andy Barker to this committee.
All were in favor and the motion was carried.
Committee Appointments
The first meeting of the newly elected Chief and Council involves the appointment of the Chief and councilors to external committees.
Frank Skeard, Glenwood Ward Councilor will continue his work on the NMCA South Coast Fjords committee. Calvin Francis, Gander Bay Ward Councilor and Ivan White Sr, Flat Bay Ward Councilor were appointed to the MAMKA external committee while Miranda Osmond, Stephenville Ward Councilor was appointed to the Summer Games external committee. The external committee for Off-Shore Wind will be filled by the St. George’s Ward Councilor.
Chief Jenny Brake will sit on several committees within the Assembly of First Nations; the National Fisheries Committee, Economic Development Committee, Chief’s Committee on Charter Renewal and is proxy on the Women’s Committee. Chief Brake is also on the Atlantic Policy Congress Special Working Group, the RCMP Commanding Officers Advisory Committee, and the Provincial Indigenous Women’s Steering Committee with Proxy Vice-Chief Colleen Paul. She is a Canadian Seals and Sealing Network Ambassador and sits on the Atlantic Seal Advisory Committee.
All were in favor and the motion was carried.
Band Council Procedures
The Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Council Procedures has been updated for approval of council.
The updates to this document are to ensure that meetings are conducted in an efficient and respectful manner, ensuring that this new council understands their roles, responsibilities and expectations.
All were in favor and this motion was carried.
Code of Conduct and Ethics
The updated Code of Conduct and Ethics was reviewed by councilors prior to the meeting.
Councilors commented that as elected officials the Code of Conduct and Ethics is holding each other accountable, and they are being respectful of one another, our employees and our members when representing the Nation.
All were in favor and the motion was carried.
By-Election Date for the St. George’s Ward Councilor
During the 2024 election of Chief and Council there was no candidate for position of St. George’s Ward Councilor. All were in favor of the motion to proceed with a by-election for this position.
The call for nominations will be on February 24 at 9:00am until March 4 at 2:00pm.
An election will be called if there is more then one candidate running for the position. Voting will be set to open on March 12 at 8:00am until March 26 at 8:00pm.
We strongly suggest members ensure their mailing and email addresses is correct on their KINU membership profile. If members have any issues or need assistance in updating their information, please contact a QFN office and staff will assist you.
Canada Pension Plan Application
A motion was put forward to council to approve the ‘Application to Cover the Employment of an Indian under the Canda Pension Plan whose Income is Exempt under the Income Tax Act’ which is to ensure that all employees within Qalipu First Nation have the option to take Canada Pension Plan upon retirement.
All were in favor and the motion was carried.
Band Managers Report
The Band Manager provided an update on the 2023-2024 financial statements. The delay in these financials have been due to the implementation of a new accounting software that has caused several challenges, these issues are not uncommon during this process. The new software is now working correctly with additional monitoring tools in place going forward.
Next Meeting of Council
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held in Corner Brook on March 22nd, 2025.