Group of young people having a rest outdoor in winter.

Aboriginal Youth Athletes, Apply by January 12, 2018 to Participate in the NL Winter Games!

Posted by Qalipu on December 18, 2017

Would you like to join a team of aboriginal youth on Team Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2018 NL Provincial Winter Games? Now is your chance!

The Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Circle Newfoundland and Labrador is now accepting applications.

Please note the Sports Circle requires applications be received at their offices by January 12, 2018.

For more information, please contact:

Mike Alexander
Regional Coordinator
Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle NL
Ph: 709-643-3130

Please click here to complete the Application

Notice – Registration of Children of Founding Members in the Qalipu First Nation

Posted by hpot on November 28, 2017

All requests for registration under the Indian Act in the Qalipu First Nation will be processed by the Winnipeg Processing Unit. The Winnipeg Processing Unit will review all applications and:

Register individuals that are currently entitled as the child of a Founding Member who will retain an entitlement after the new Founding Members list is passed through an Order in Council in the Spring of 2018; and
Place on hold any files where entitlement cannot be determined past spring 2018 (where parent may not retain Founding Membership) and notify the applicant as such.

Please note, Charmaine Bath, Qalipu’s Indian Registration Administrator, is on hand to assist with completing the application form and ensuring that all necessary documentation is included in your application package. For assistance, please contact Charmaine at (709) 679-2142, or toll free (within Newfoundland only) at 1-855-263-6440 or email cbath@qalipu.ca

Election 2018 Update

Posted by Qalipu on November 24, 2017

Qalipu elections are governed by a legal document called the Custom Rules Governing Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band Elections. This guiding document was developed in 2011 when the Qalipu Band was recognized as an Indian Act Band. The Custom Rules is now a codified legal document that was ratified by the people through majority vote. For more on how our election works via the Custom Rules, please visit our website.

Following the election in 2015, Qalipu realized several issues that need to be resolved to make our elections more effective in the future. For instance, some voters reported arriving at their polling station to find that they had been incorrectly listed in a different voting location. Others found that the distance they had to travel to their designated poll was unreasonable, and many people thought the time frame on returning mail-in ballots was too short. The 2015 election also saw a low voter turnout (approximately 25%) and this is something else that can be improved upon.

An Election Reform Committee made up of three Councilors, three staff members and one deputy returning officer from the last election, was brought together to begin addressing these issues, and to explore election improvements, including changes to the Custom Rules. It is important to note that any change to the Custom Rules requires ratification (approval by vote) from the membership. For instance, to change voting procedure to include the option for online voting, or to make the election entirely mail-in (no polls), a ratification vote would need to take place. The ideal time to present changes like this for voting by membership is during the next election.

The Election Reform Committee has proposed changes to the Custom Rules, and voters can expect to hear more on those changes which will be presented to them for approval during the next election. Membership will also be asked for their input via a survey that will be placed on our website, and sent out to the Elders Mailout list. Hard copies of the survey will also be made available at our office locations and at Ward meetings. The intent of the survey will be to determine membership preference on how they would like to vote; online only, mail-in only, a combination of both, or maintain the current way of voting, for instance.

Can our elections be improved before the membership votes on it?

Yes. While major changes to the Custom Rules require ratification votes, there are efficiencies that the Committee has found that fit within the parameters of the current rules and, by implementing them, some of the issues experienced during the last election will be resolved. For instance, the timeline of the entire election will be drawn out. By starting the process earlier, all elements of the Election will be less rushed. This will include making mail-in ballot applications available sooner and giving voters more time to get them in.

The Committee will also communicate often, well in advance of the Election itself, to ensure that voters are engaged and aware of the process.

As a voter, you can help make the Election run more smoothly as well.

By logging into your ginu membership profile, you can confirm that you are listed in the correct Electoral Ward. The Ward listed under “Electoral Ward” under the Mailing Address tab determines where you will be eligible to vote. Other information that you should verify includes: ensure a valid email address is listed for you (most of our communications, both during elections and throughout the year, come through email); and, ensure your current mailing address and phone number are listed.

Why not take a look to ensure that the information on your profile is accurate? If you need help logging in to ginu, please call Charmaine Bath at 1-855-263-6440.

Questions or comments? Please email the committee through the Communications Officer at awhite@qalipu.ca

Volunteers Wanted: Helping Hands Program

Posted by Qalipu on November 1, 2017

The People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Center is currently looking for volunteers to work with seniors in and around our communities for the Helping Hands Program!
They are seeking volunteers to help seniors with things such as: Shovelling snow (once the snow falls), duties around the house, or just come in to the seniors home to spend some time with them, play cards, etc.

The Friendship Centre is also looking for seniors who would be interested in having a volunteer come in to their home and help, or simply spend time with them.

The Centre also hopes to have something at either the Stephenville office or the St. George’s center where seniors can come in, play cards, chat, have some coffee, and volunteers can assist with anything they may need/want there.

Volunteers are required to have a criminal conduct check completed, however, the center will cover the cost of this application for the approved volunteers.

Please click here for the volunteer application form.

For more information, please contact the People of the Dawn Friendship Centre at 709-643-3902 or email helpinghandsprogram@gmail.com

Updated Q & A: Appeals Process

1. Who was eligible to appeal the decision of the Enrolment Committee?

Applicants who received an Appeal Notice with their letter regarding the Enrolment Committee’s decision had the right to appeal the decision on or before April 13, 2017 regarding eligibility for Founding Membership in the Band. Some applicants did not receive an Appeal Notice because:

Their application was determined by the Enrolment Committee to be invalid
Their application was submitted after September 22, 2011 and denied by the Enrolment Committee because they, or, if under the age of 18, either of their parents, were not named in a membership list of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians, Ktaqamkuk Mi’kmaq Alliance, Benoit First Nation or the Sip’kop Mi’kmaq Band nor did they submit any documentary evidence of self-identification of the type specified under section 8 of the Supplemental Agreement.

2. What is the process for reviewing appeals?

All appeals are being handled by a legal team of Appeal Masters who is neutral and independent from the Federation of Newfoundland Indians and the Government of Canada.
Chief Appeal Master Geoffrey Brown and a legal team of Appeal Masters are reviewing your record and Appeal Notice, in the context of the grounds for appeal, and will render a decision that you will receive in the mail.
For unsuccessful appeals, the appellant will receive notification from the Appeal Master indicating that the decision of the Enrolment Committee has been maintained.
When an appeal is successful, the Appeal Master will notify the Enrolment Committee that their decision has been overturned. The Enrolment Committee will then review the applicants file on remaining criteria, where applicable, and notify the appellant on whether they meet the criteria for Founding Membership.
Please see below for a chart explaining how appeals are processed

3. What does it mean that if my appeal is successful, it is returned to the Enrolment Committee for assessment on remaining criteria?

The files were reviewed in stages; the first being self-identification, then group acceptance and finally ancestry. If the applicant failed self-identification, the file was closed, and a decision rendered. The same held for each stage. For example; if a file passed self-identification, it was moved to the next stage which was group acceptance. If at this stage the file failed to meet the criteria, the decision was rendered, and the file was closed without ancestry being reviewed. If the applicant in this example appealed and was successful, then the file goes back to the Enrolment Committee to review the file for ancestry. If ancestry is verified, the applicant can then be admitted to the Band. Some files (in particular, those that already have status cards) have already had ancestry approved and therefore that will not have to happen a second time and they will remain in the Band. If the Enrolment Committee finds that a person who is not already a Founding member of the Band has not proven ancestry, they will be advised in a letter to the Enrolment Committee and will be provided an opportunity to appeal this decision.
A chart outlining the process can be found on Question 2.

4. Is everything that I submitted in my application being considered by the Appeal Master, even if it’s not in the direct “context of the grounds for appeal”?

Yes, the Appeal Master’s review will include everything that was raised in your appeal.

5. What is the Appeal Master considering during the appeal process? How does he/she reach a decision?

The Appeal Master will consider the applicant’s record that was used by the Enrolment Committee when reaching its decision, along with the reasons you believe the Enrolment Committee made a mistake or error in considering your application and why the documentation submitted with your application demonstrates that you met the requirements to become a Founding Member of the Qalipu First Nation.
The Appeal Master will evaluate the Enrolment Committee’s reason(s) for denying your application, your reasons for arguing that a mistake was made, and whether the documentation you submitted demonstrates that you met the requirements to become a Founding Member in the context of the Agreement-in-Principle and the Supplemental Agreement. The Appeal Master reaches his/her decision after taking all those factors into account.

6. When will decision letters begin to arrive? How long will letters continue to arrive?

Appeal decision letters will be sent out at the end of each month, starting at the end of October 2017, and at the end of each month following until the process is complete.
Some applicants may receive appeal letters sooner or later than others but this timing will not delay the enrolment process.

7. A new batch of letters was sent out at the end of November. How many were sent? When will it be completed?

Approximately 4500 letters were mailed at the end of November. A larger number can be expected at the end of December, and the balance will be completed by the end of January 2018.

8. Who will receive letters first? Is there any particular order to the review and notifications?

The files are not being processed in any particular order.

9. How many appeals were submitted in total? What number of these are successful appeals?

Approximately 13,000 appeals were received. The review of appeals is ongoing. A summary report on the number of successful appeals will be made available at the end of the process.

10. What happens if an appeal is successful?

As with the January 31 mail out, the letters will contain instructions on what to do next, and how to proceed.
Depending on the criterion upon which the Enrolment Committee decision was based, the file may have to be reviewed again to determine whether the remaining criteria for Founding Membership were met. For example, if an applicant was denied Founding Membership based on Group Acceptance and won their appeal, it means that the applicant’s file must be revisited by the Enrolment Committee for assessment on the grounds of Ancestry and connection to a Pre-Confederation Mi’kmaq community, which was the third phase of enrolment review. A denial of your application on these grounds will result in you having a further right to appeal that decision.
Please see below for a chart outlining how appeals are processed.
Please see Question 8 for more information on assessment on remaining criteria for membership.

11. If my appeal is successful, why is my file being returned to the Enrolment Committee for assessment on remaining criteria for membership?

Depending on the criterion upon which the Enrolment Committee decision was based, the file may have to be reviewed again to determine whether the remaining criteria for Founding Membership were met. For example, if an applicant was denied Founding Membership based on Group Acceptance and won their appeal, it means that the applicant’s file must be revisited by the Enrolment Committee for assessment on the grounds of Ancestry and connection to a Pre-Confederation Mi’kmaq community, which was the third phase of enrolment review. A denial of your application on these grounds will result in you having a further right to appeal that decision. Below is a chart that outlines the criteria for membership.

12. If my file is reviewed by the Enrolment Committee on remaining criteria, how long will this take?

The Enrolment Committee has been organized so that it can immediately review whether the remaining criteria have been met.

13. Who is on the Enrolment Committee that will be doing the assessment on remaining criteria for successful appeals?

The Enrolment Committee comprises two representatives appointed by the FNI, and two by Canada. It is chaired by Ron Penney. The assessment will be done where they meet.

14. What happens if my appeal is denied? Do I have another recourse?

The decision of the Appeal Master will be the final decision under the process for determining Founding Membership as set out in the 2008 Agreement and the 2013 Supplemental Agreement. Applicants may wish to consult with a lawyer to determine whether a decision should be made the subject of a judicial review.

15. If my appeal is denied, can I still be registered as a member of the Band?

If your parent is a Founding Member who will maintain Founding Membership, you are entitled to be registered under the Indian Act right now. You can contact our Indian Registration Administrator, Charmaine Bath, for assistance. Reach Charmaine at 679-2142 or 1-855-263-6440 (toll free available in Newfoundland only)
If you are a Founding Member whose appeal has been denied, and you have a parent who will have, or maintain, Founding Membership, your name will be automatically maintained on the Indian Register. In Spring 2018, once the new Founding Members list is in effect, you will receive a letter regarding a change to your registration category. You will still be a member of the Band.

16. As a layperson, I do not have a clear understanding of the Indian Act. What are section 6(1)(b), and 6(2) and so on?

- According to the Indian Actin its present form:
Upon being registered (or entitled to be registered), Founding Members are considered 6(1)(b)’s under the Indian Act of Canada, which means:

“6(1)(b) – Persons who are members of groups declared to be new bands by the Governor in Council”
- An individual who has the 6(1)(b) classification does qualify to register their children, however the child’s classification will be 6(2) under the Indian Actof Canada, which means:
“6(2) – Persons with one Indian parent registered or entitled under a 6(1) provision”
- An individual with 6(2) classifications under the Indian Actof Canada will not qualify to register their children due to the Section 6(2) Cut-Off that was introduced in the 1985 Indian Act of Canada:
“Section 6(2) Cut-Off – The 1985 Indian Act introduced a cut-off in terms of who is entitled to registration. Persons born to a parent who is registered or entitled to be registered under Section 6(2) are not eligible for registration unless their other parent is also someone who is registered or entitled to be registered under the Act.”

If however, both parents are registered 6(1)(b) Indians under the Indian Act of Canada (does not necessarily mean parents are registered, or entitled to be registered, with the same Indian Act Band), would allow for their children to be registered as 6(1)(f)’s under the Indian Act of Canada, meaning:
- “6(1)(f) – Persons with two registered (or entitled to be registered) parents”
Children of a 6(1)(f) parent are eligible to be registered as Status Indians under the Indian Act of Canada.

For further information, please click here or see question 10 for a graph called “Eligibility for Registration”.

17. The Federation of Newfoundland Indians submitted appeals for some applicants. How many did you submit and how many were successful?

The Federation submitted an appeal on behalf of 3,000 applicants of which, 2,300 were based on the points system, and 700 were based on ancestry and/or connection to pre-confederation communities.
The decision rendered by the Chief Appeal Master will be forwarded to the affected applicants. If you submitted your own appeal, the decision on your appeal and on the Federation of Newfoundland Indians appeal will be forwarded to you at the same time.

18. What is the status of Administrative Reviews?

Some applicants whose files were found to be or ineligible on the grounds of self-identification did not have a right to appeal the Enrolment Committee’s decision. Applicants were able to request administrative review if they believed an element of their application had been missed in the Enrolment Committee’s assessment. If an error was found in the review, the Enrolment Committee then assessed the applicant on the remaining eligibility criteria for Founding Membership.
930 applicants have been notified of the outcome of their request for an administrative review. Letters should be read carefully, as they may contain instructions for further action, such as an opportunity to appeal.

19. Qalipu hosted a number of community meetings following the January 31, 2017 mailout. Are we gearing up for this part of the process as well? Will there be a post-appeal community engagement?

A community tour was arranged following the January 31 mail out to ensure that individuals understood the meaning of their decision letters, and in particular, what they would need to do to respond to the Notice of Appeal.
There is an upcoming round of Town Hall meetings in each of our Wards before the end of 2017. This will be an opportunity to ask questions and more information will be shared at this time.
Front line staff in each of our office locations are available to take your call

20. Is the timeline for establishment of the new Founding Members list on track?

The original timeline to create the new Founding Members list is on schedule to be completed in the spring of 2018.

21. Haven’t some applicants taken court action against the enrolment process?

There are several cases that are now before the Federal Court.

Annual Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards

Posted by hpot on August 24, 2017

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is currently seeking nominations for its Annual Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards. Recognizing youth for their achievements is a great way to build self-esteem; and more importantly, it establishes role models so others can see that their goals are tangible.

Please click here for the Award Application Form which outlines the criteria and selection process.

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

Magnifying glass over a newspaper classified section with Job Market text

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