Register Now! Dancers and Drummers of the New Dawn

Posted by Qalipu on August 9, 2017

Qalipu First Nation is pleased to announce that it will be offering the Dancers and Drummers of the New Dawn program at the Bay St. George Cultural Center from August 28^th to 31^st. This program will help raise awareness on the issues of violence and bullying through a mix of educational presentations, cultural activities, and teachings in drumming and dance. In turn, youth will be provided with opportunities to gain valuable knowledge, engage in cultural practices, form friendships, and feel empowered.

Background

DDOND began as a concept to empower youth to become advocates for healthy relationships. This would be achieved through a combination of information sessions, cultural teachings and lessons in dancing and drumming.
Last summer, the first phase of this program, DOND, was implemented. Girls, ages 11-15*, learned valuable information about violence and bullying, participated in cultural activities and learned fancy shawl dancing.
This summer, we have added a drumming component to the program and are inviting applicants of any gender to register. We also hope to extend the program from two days to four, providing more opportunities for learning and interaction among our youth participants.

To express your interest in participating in this program, please call Sarah Leah Hindy at 634-9653 or email shindy@qalipu.ca. To access the registration form, please click here

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Internship Opportunity: Work with the Qalipu First Nation Natural Resource Team

Posted by Qalipu on July 31, 2017

Conservation Corps of Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit organization with a mandate to provide young people with meaningful work, training and educational opportunities in the areas of environmental and cultural heritage conservation and enhancement. Conservation Corps is now accepting applications for the following internship position.

Wetland Delineation and Aquatic Invasive Species Intern (1 position)
In partnership with the Mi’kmaq Alsumk Mowimsikik Koqoey Association (MAMKA). Under the supervision of the Natural Resources Technician, the Intern will be responsible for key logistics related to the planning and implementation of two major MAMKA projects: 1. Inventory and monitoring of wetlands in member communities of Qalipu First Nation and 2. Invasive green crab mitigation. Project 1 (Wetland inventory): Ecosystem services provided by wetlands are significant, however; wetlands are not well inventoried on the island of Newfoundland. Wetlands are a historic source of medicinal plants and animals, food, and travel ways for the Mi’kmaq people and continue to be to this day. To help our organization to identify potential sites for future wetland restoration and/or enhancement, we will inventory and monitor wetland locations within selected member communities of Qalipu First Nation. Project 2 (Green crab mitigation): Invasive green crab compete with native fauna and destroy significant habitat (eelgrass beds). MAMKA has studied the distribution and abundance of green crab in western NL over the past several years and completes focused removals yearly in the Bay St. George area as part of the mitigation effort.

Candidates for this position should have a demonstrated interest and or education in research and habitat conservation, restoration and enhancement; strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills; and strong research skills. This position requires the ability for physical exertion to traverse rugged terrain and work in coastal zones. Candidates must be willing to work in inclement weather and be capable of lifting up to 50 lbs. Valid driver’s license and access to own vehicle with appropriate insurance considered an asset. Position based in Corner Brook.

Salary for the above positions is $13.00 per hour for 35 hours per week for 12 weeks with an anticipated start date of August 21, 2017. CCNL is a youth serving not-for-profit, therefore successful individuals to the above positions must be between the ages of 16 and 30.

Please apply with cover letter, resume and three references. The same application can be used to apply for more than one Intern placement. Please indicate clearly in your cover letter which Intern placements you are applying (if applying via email please indicate position in email subject title). For more information on Conservation Corps Newfoundland and Labrador please visit www.ccnl.ca

Application Deadline is August 11, 2017
Applications should be forwarded to:
Selection Committee, Conservation Corps Newfoundland & Labrador
Suite 103, 10 Austin Street
St. John’s NL, A1B 4C2
Tel: (709) 729-7266
Fax: (709) 729-7270
Email: applications@ccnl.ca

RNC JUNIOR POLICE ACADEMY 2017 OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH & VOLUNTEERS

Posted by Qalipu on June 12, 2017

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

Work at our Provincial Mi’kmaq Museum this Summer!

Posted by Qalipu on May 2, 2017

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

Archived Enrolment Information Popup

Posted by Qalipu on April 17, 2017

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

The word NEWS written in vintage wooden letterpress type in a wooden type drawer.

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

Posted by Qalipu on April 6, 2017

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.

Live lobsters caught in Bar Harbor, Maine

Qalipu First Nation Would Like to Announce the Availability of Two Communal Commercial Fishing Licenses

Posted by Qalipu on March 13, 2017

Qalipu First Nation would like to announce the availability of two Communal Commercial Fishing Licenses.

Details are as follows:

Area 13A – St. George’s Bay – Two Licenses Available

Licence #1: Groundfish except Lumpfish, Herring Fixed Gear, Mackerel Fixed Gear, Eel, Lobster, Snow Crab (Queen), and Bait.

Licence #2: Herring Fixed Gear, Lobster, and Bait.

Successful applicant will be designated to fish this license by paying an annual administration fee to Qalipu First Nation Band. The purchase and maintenance of all fishing gear is the responsibility of the designated fisherperson. This designation may be renewed annually on the basis that the fisherperson remains compliant with QFN’s Fishing Designation Policy and meets the following criteria:

Member of Qalipu First Nation Band
All regulations of governing agencies of these licenses are followed
Licenses are utilized annually
Administration Fees are paid on time

Any member of the Qalipu First Nation Band interested in such a designation is encouraged to print and complete this application and indicate in which opportunity they are interested. Printed applications are also available at the Corner Brook and St. George’s offices.

Deadline to apply is: Monday March 20, 2017 @ 4pm

Please submit applications by e-mail, fax, mail, or hand-delivery to:

Email: jstrickland@qalipu.ca
Fax: (709)639-3997

Qalipu First Nation
3 Church Street
Corner Brook, NL A2H 2Z4
Attn: Jonathan Strickland

Statement Regarding Ottawa Meeting

Posted by Qalipu on February 28, 2017

On February 24, 2017, Chief/President Mitchell, Vice Chief (Central) Bouzanne, Councillor/Director Skeard, Elder Odelle Pike, Elder Calvin White, and Band Manager Randy Drover met with representatives of Canada to discuss the outcomes of the enrolment process. Vice Chief (Western) Samms-Hurley was unavailable due to other previously scheduled Band commitments. The meeting occurred in Gatineau, QC.

Over the past couple of weeks, members and applicants received their letters from the Enrolment Committee regarding their eligibility for enrolment as Founding Members of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band. Chief and Council has and continues to receive feedback from members and applicants who are expressing their disappointment with the outcomes. Many people are sharing their personal stories and are questioning the decisions of the Enrolment Committee. These stories and the associated emotions are being heard and felt. The Chief and Council are equally disappointed with the number of members and applicants found not to have met the enrolment criteria and sympathize with those people who were found ineligible for enrolment.

On February 13, 2017, the Qalipu First Nation (QFN) and the FNI began hosting end of enrolment community sessions to provide members with an opportunity to raise questions and concerns. To date, community sessions were held in Flat Bay, Port-au-Port, St. Georges, Stephenville, Benoits Cove, St. John’s and Grand Falls-Windsor. Sessions will also be held in Gambo, Appleton, Corner Brook, Port Saunders, and Burgeo in the coming weeks. These sessions have been well attended and the information collected was shared with Canada during the meeting. For more information regarding the community sessions, please visit Qalipu.ca.

During the meeting in Gatineau, the parties had an open and frank discussion regarding the outcomes of the enrolment process. Chief Mitchell and the other representatives, including the Elders, shared the concerns, issues and emotions they are hearing and feeling throughout our communities.

The QFN and the FNI will continue to address with Canada the issues and concerns being raised by our members and applicants. Moreover, efforts to find solutions, within the parameters of the agreements, are being explored. While this process is unfolding, and there are no assurances these exploratory discussions will be fruitful, the FNI encourages those individuals with the right to appeal to utilize that process. Appeals must be submitted by March 31, 2017, and they must demonstrate how the Enrolment Committee made an error or mistake when assessing your application. The appeals process provides an important opportunity to rectify errors that members and applicants feel were made in the assessment of their files. For more information regarding the appeals process, please visit Qalipu.ca.

Further updates will be provided as the process unfolds.

Employee and employer balanced cooperation concept. Businessman (human resources officer) draw scheme with hand shaking of employee and employer.

Hire a Qalipu Student this Summer and We’ll Pay their Wages

Posted by Qalipu on February 22, 2017

The Qalipu First Nation is now accepting applications from employers or organizations who are interested in our Youth Summer Employment Program (YSEP).

The YSEP, now in its eleventh year, has provided employability skills and work experience for hundreds of aboriginal youth. At the same time, employers benefit from an enhanced workforce during the summer months while the Qalipu First Nation takes responsibility for the financial management of the student.

To learn more about this program including responsibilities of the employer, and how to apply, please visit www.qalipu.ca/youth-programs or contact Vickie Macdonald, Employment Coordinator by email at vmacdonald@qalipu.ca

The deadline for employers to apply for the Youth Summer Employment Program is April 7, 2017. Click here to apply.

New Fishing License Available for 2017 Season

Posted by Qalipu on February 22, 2017

Qalipu First Nation would like to announce the availability of a Communal Commercial Fishing License.
Details are as follows:

Area 13B – One License Available

Includes: Groundfish, Lobster and Bait

Successful applicant will be designated to fish this license by paying an annual administration fee to Qalipu First Nation Band. The purchase and maintenance of all fishing gear is the responsibility of the designated fisherperson. This designation will be renewed annually on the basis that the fisherperson meets the following criteria:

Member of Qalipu First Nation Band
All regulations of governing agencies of these licenses are followed
Licenses are utilized annually
Administration Fees are paid on time

Any member of the Qalipu First Nation Band interested in such a designation is encouraged to print and complete this application. Printed applications are also available at the Corner Brook and St. George’s offices.

Please submit applications by e-mail to mmacdonald@qalipu.ca or mail to:
Please note that the deadline to apply is: Friday March 3, 2017 @ 4pm

Qalipu First Nation
3 Church Street
Corner Brook, NL A2H 2Z4
Attn: Mabel MacDonald