All Qalipu First Nation five (5) satellite offices along with Benoit First Nation and No’kmaq Village joined in celebrations Wednesday, September 22, 2021! Crowds gathered for food, song, dance, and cultural teachings with highlights from entertainers such as Paul Pike, Spirit Bay Drummers, and the Corner Brook Aboriginal Women’s Drumming Association who led in a Sunrise Ceremony at Margaret Bowater Park. Local Mi’kmaw vendors also arrived at some of the satellite offices to showcase their craft and tell their stories with the community. Regional Chief PJ Prosper was also in attendance during the ceremony and continuing celebrations in Corner Brook in the afternoon. We would like to thank everyone that came out and helped make this day possible. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to come together as a Nation and with the communities to share, enjoy, and learn from one another. If you attended any of our celebrations and would like to share your pictures you can email them to communications@qalipu.ca. Wela’lioq!

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It has taken a community coming together to present this beautiful honor in the memory of what can be said to be for some, the unknown or forgotten Indigenous settlement, Crow Gulch, Newfoundland.

On the morning of Friday, August 20, 2021, a collaborative art piece by Mi’kmaw Artists Marcus Gosse and Jordan Bennett was installed and unveiled. The incredibly outstanding art mural can be seen at the parking lot for the trail leading to Crow Gulch – adjacent to the intersection of Griffin Drive and Lewin Parkway near the Corner Brook pulp and paper mill. Both artists, along with former Crow Gulch resident Margie Benoit Wheeler worked together, as Margie was able to share pictures and stories of her time growing up in the small community while unknowingly becoming an inspiration for the mural.

Margie Benoit Wheeler spoke during the unveiling, “We were the forgotten people between Corner Brook and Curling.” She then reflected on her memories for her relocated community, some heart-warming, and others very heart-breaking. While Mayor of Corner Brook Jim Parsons restated his recognition of Crow Gulch, “This was a community – Margie is a fountain of wealth – its time to reconcile.”

Gosse reflected on Bennett’s and his final artwork, both colleagues who were thankful to have such an opportunity to work together – how the mural commemorates 100 years since Crow Gulch was settled, the significance of the Indigenous rest spot created for the installation, and how it will provide education to youth, families, and tourists to enjoy. Gosse described the strong presence of the crows in their mural as a symbol of our ancestors coming back with messages and to be with us. The double curves representing our life cycle – 1st curve is birth, the middle curve is middle age, and the last curve representing senior/elder life. While the house chimneys release spiritual energies – all together show community, connectedness, and spiritual connections. In the coming months, there will be plaque signs leading from the parking lots rest stop to Crow Gulch where 45 families called home – to keep their honor and spirit alive.

Also present that morning was Author Douglas Walbourne-Gough who kindly read an exert from his 2019 published work, Crow Gulch. The book was dedicated to his grandparents Rudy and Ella Gough, also former residents of the community. Walbourne-Gough noted that today is a way to begin more dialog on Crow Gulch’s history that some people knew and some not at all. How it can bring light to the community and marginalization as it no longer exists and to extend reconciliation to Dunfield Park – which had been the relocation community for the last few families who were still in Crow Gulch in the very early 1970s.

 

Watch for registration links each morning on our Qalipu First Nation Facebook Page and on our Website

* Tuesday, June 15, 7:30 NST – “Tepaskman: You can do it” webinar with Barbara Sylvester and Dean Simon on Adult Language Acquisition (Link to be shared on day of event on Qalipu.ca and Facebook).
* Wednesday, June 16, 7:30 NST – “Mila’sultinej: Let’s play” language games webinar with Dean Simon. (Link to be shared on day of event on Qalipu.ca and Facebook).
* Thursday, June 17, 7:30 NST “Ki’kli’kwe’jk: Chicken Run” mi’kmaw language film screening webinar with Dean Simon. (Link to be shared on day of event on Qalipu.ca and Facebook).
* Friday, June 18, 7:30 NST “L’nutoql: Mi’kmaw Music”, Bay of Islands Radio.
* Saturday, June 19, “Mi’kwite’tm (I remember) Park Day”.

Virtual Arts and Crafts events daily as well (registration required).

Call For Video Submissions:
Looking for Former Outdoor Education Camp Participants!

Qalipu First Nation is producing a short promotional video for the Outdoor Education Killdevil Camp Program. If you were a past participant of this amazing program (in grade 5 or 8 from 1998-2019) we want to include you! We are looking for one-minute videos of you telling us YOUR CAMP EXPERIENCE. Just follow the filming instructions and submit your video files by Wednesday, March 24th.

All entries will be placed in a draw for amazing prize packages that promote getting out and enjoying the great outdoors!

1st prize =     Family Adventure Package consisting of: a 4-person tent; 2 double sleeping pads; a camp stove; kitchen set; lantern; first aid kit; guidebook on camping with kids; and a Gros Morne family seasonal park pass. Valued at $1400.

2^nd prize =     1-person Adventure Package consisting of: a backpack; sleeping bag; compass; head lamp; kitchen kit; water bottle; fire starter; whistle; first aid kit; and a Gros Morne Seasonal Park Pass. Valued at $450.

3^rd prize =     A Gros Morne family seasonal park pass and a camping with kids guidebook. Valued at $75.

What to say in your video:
First, introduce yourself, giving your first name (and last if you’d like) and the year you were in grade 5 or 8 and went to camp. You can then answer all or several of the following questions:

1. What was your favourite thing to do during the Outdoor Education Program?
2. What was the experience like being away from home with your friends/classmates?
3. What was your most memorable moment at camp? Or, what did camp mean to you?
4. What do you think the Outdoor Education Program brings to the education system (camp vs. school)?
5. What do you remember learning about Mi’kmaq Culture?
6. How did Killdevil complement Indigenous education in schools?
7. Was the Outdoor Education Program the first time you experienced Gros Morne National Park?  Did it inspire you to go back?
8. Do you remember learning about forests in Gros Morne National Park? Or, what do you remember most about being in Gros Morne National Park?
9. How did the Outdoor Education program influence your perspective on the environment and appreciation of the outdoors?

How to film your video:
We would like you to film on your smartphone. People can pair up and film each other: one the Cameraperson and interviewer, the other the Interviewee. Or you can also set up your phone and film yourself. Please keep the filming distance to about 3 feet apart.

LIGHTS!
Make sure there are no windows behind the Interviewee, or else the footage will have white, blown-out backgrounds. Ideally, they would have some light source on their face such as from a window or desk lamp.

ROLL SOUND!
The best tip for having good audio is avoid any sort of distracting background noise. Try to record in a relatively quiet place but avoid the echo of an enclosed room as well.

ROLL CAMERA!
The Cameraperson should hold the phone in landscape mode. The camera should be eye level with the person talking. The Cameraperson should use both hands to grip the smart phone, and keep their elbows close to their body to keep the shot as steady as possible. When ready to shoot, the Cameraperson should tap the Interviewees face on the smart phone screen to focus and lock exposure.

If you record yourself, be sure to have your phone set up in a sturdy location at eye level and in landscape mode. You can do test shots to see how it looks. Be sure to review the footage to make sure it looks good.

Notes to keep in mind:

• Be enthusiastic and positive! Humor is a plus
• Restate the question in answers.
• Try to keep it no longer than 1 min.
• Film in *visually appealing* locations. i.e. no people, mess, or other distractions in the background.
• Feel free to just use your first name. We will only use your contact information to get in touch if we have further questions for you or are having trouble with the video files you provided.

How to Upload your Video:
When finished with your video, please email to: cbrett@qalipu.ca

If you have any other video footage or photos from when you were in camp – feel free to upload as well! Be sure to distinguish these with file names. We may use your photos in our video (blurring out any faces of other campers for privacy reasons).

Usage Agreement
Please note that while we will include as many voices as we can, not everyone will make it into the final cut of the video.

Once you submit a video, you will be sent a release form. Please fill-out and sign this form and return via email on a computer. *Please note that the release form may not be fillable on your smart phone: a laptop or desktop may be needed.

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This project is created by Qalipu First Nation to promote the Outdoor Education Program which is operated in partnership with Parks Canada, the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District, and the Killdevil Camp and Conference Centre

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Sabrina Muise is so well known in the youth community that she was nominated to be featured as a community leader by someone who has never actually met her.  Cassie Stead lives in Ontario and noted that it is through Sabrina’s strong online presence that she has found a connection to her First Nation back home in Newfoundland.

“I actually don’t know her personally,” noted Cassie, “but she has been a leader, and a powerful voice to the youth. She has inspired me to be more vocal about my heritage and in learning all I can. Through her social media presence, she has allowed youth to reconnect with their Indigenous roots from afar. I left Newfoundland to pursue studies in Ontario and following her, and being a part of the Qalipu Youth Network, has allowed me to maintain connectedness. She does such a great job through social media.”

Qalipu Youth Network

Qalipu Council Youth Representative Salome Barker works with Sabrina on the Youth Network and has nothing but praise for her friend and colleague.  She said, “I’ve known Sabrina now for a few years and each year that goes on she continues to amaze me with her creativeness and her passion for empowering youth.  She is multitalented, a fancy shawl dancer, drummer and singer.  Sabrina is so humble when it comes to all the work that she does.  She’s so wise for her age and is continuously working in favour of all Indigenous youth in Ktaqmkuk.  She really is a shining light whenever she walks into a room, her kindness and patience are woven into all her work.  I’m so lucky to have a nitap like Sabrina in my life, she’s a community leader in so many forms and I cannot wait to see all the wonderful things she’s going to do in the future.”

Hard at Work

Sabrina works with the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship Centre as a Project Coordinator.  Executive Director Patrick Park-Tighe said that Sabrina is an amazing addition to the team and has a lot to offer.

“Sabrina’s hard work has been transformative both in her youth participants and the community groups that they have partnered with. Youth working with Sabrina have gained a deeper understanding of social media, its benefits, and its dangers while local non-profits have created stronger connections to youth while co-creating media content that is informative, engaging, and timely.”

Patrick also commented on Sabrina’s ability to lead youth in contributing to the success of local non-profits.  “Her insights and creativity have paved the way for local youth to contribute directly to the success of local non-profits,” he said, “Additionally, Sabrina has balanced the focus on content creation with thoughtful explorations of individuals’ strengths and talents, and the Indigenous identity.”

Join the Ka’qawej Community Media Project here: https://www.facebook.com/kaqawejyouth/

Family, Friends, and the Mi’kmaq Way

Sabrina was humbled to learn that she had been nominated for the Community Leaders feature.

Sabrina said, “I am so appreciative for the nomination, and confidence in me as a helper to our people. I’m honored to be considered amongst such other amazing people from our Qalipu community!”

Sabrina talked about her upbringing, and a strong need to pass on the care that she received in the Indigenous community.  “Having been raised in the system with just my mother, I’ve always felt the love, support, and guidance by my Indigenous kin. I feel a huge responsibility to pass that down. Love, kindness, demonstrating that everyone has something valuable to share and a safe space to go to. It’s such an essential concept of our Mi’kmaq culture that I want all youth to feel.

Regarding her hopes for the future of young people in the Indigenous community, Sabrina had this to say, “It’s my second year working with youth (15-30 years) at the People of the Dawn Indigenous Friendship, and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to redesign my project during quarantine.

Having worked with youth the previous year and been to the Qalipu Youth Gathering in 2019, I realized that youth are hungry for culture, and self care opportunities. So, I created a whole workshop and sharing circle series connecting youth with Mi’kmaq leaders of Nujio’qonik, providing opportunities for them to meet our people, gain insights on how to navigate the fast life, learn about our culture, and my favourite: to be a part of a province-wide kinship. When we create programming that serves youth and meets them where they’re at, that’s when we see youth come together, collaborate, and inspire each other. It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness, and it’s honestly been a dream come true!”

Congratulations to Sabrina, and keep up the good work!

 

Join the Qalipu Youth Network

 

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Story by Alison White (awhite@qalipu.ca), on behalf of Qalipu First Nation.