On June 20^th, Qalipu First Nation and the Norpen Aboriginal Women’s Circle joined Parks Canada to provide a historically and culturally rich Learn-to Camp experience at Port au Choix’s Historic Site. Here, families gathered on grounds steeped in 6000 years of history, to share in a camping experience anchored in the same barren land and rugged coastline, sculpted by the wild and bountiful ocean, that has called people to this space from time immemorial.

As a family of caribou grazed in the distance, people of all ages found themselves immersed in the richness of nature and togetherness, sharing in art, storytelling, food, songs and ceremony. With the setting of the sun, campers gathered in a circle to celebrate new experiences, new friends, and shared moments in this magical place and the sounds of an incredible Learn-to Camp experience could be heard in the singing and drumming carried by the wind.

Parks Canada’s Lean-to Camp program is a nation-wide initiative to provide opportunity for Canadians to engage in a camping experience that connects them to natural and cultural heritage.  This has been the first Indigenous focused Learn-to Camp event in the province.

On Saturday, July 7, the Qalipu First Nation partnered with the Norpen Aboriginal Women’s Circle to share Mi’kmaq culture at Parks Canada’s Family Day in Shallow Bay.

Tourism Development Officer Tara Saunders said that taking the opportunity to celebrate culture with others, and make positive connections, is very valuable to the Band.

She said, “The Band set up a wigwam, provided the kits for a drum making demonstration, and assisted in a rattle making craft with the children.  Hundreds of children were given the opportunity to learn about drum making and make their own rattles.  Norpen, as always, was an excellent partner.  They led a drumming circle and shared songs throughout the day.  We are always thankful for opportunities like these to get outside and make positive connections.”

Qalipu has been involved in several initiatives with their partner, Parks Canada, including development and delivery of the Taste of the Great Outdoors program, interpretation training for Qalipu member businesses, and knowledge sharing in tourism development.  The Band is also exploring ways of working with the Eastern Field Unit on future initiatives.

On July 21^st Qalipu, Norpen and Parks Canada will work together to deliver the Learn to Camp program at Port aux Choix National Historic Site.  The site has seen continual habitation for over 5000 years and has been home to several distinct indigenous populations including today’s Mi’kmaq.  Tara noted that elements of Mi’kmaq culture will be brought into the program including a sunrise ceremony and craft making.  She also noted that registration for this program has been very successful.

“All spots have now been filled! We can’t wait to meet with families and help provide a fun camping experience at this special location.”

For more information, please contact Tara at tsaunders@qalipu.ca

Government of Canada funds work experience for local students

April 26, 2018 Corner Brook, NL Employment and Social Development Canada

A strong middle class and a growing economy depend on young Canadians getting the skills and work experience they need to succeed. That is why the Government of Canada has doubled the number of jobs created through the Canada Summer Jobs program since 2015, creating meaningful, paid work experience for almost 70,000 students per year.

Here in the Long Range Mountains, that means that 742 jobs have been approved for funding for local students. Today, Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament for the Long Range Mountains, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced that the hiring season for Canada Summer Jobs 2018 has begun and employers are now accepting applications.

Once again this summer, tens of thousands of students across Canada aged 15 to 30 will get a great job opportunity—all while earning money to help pay for next year’s tuition. The Government of Canada invites young Canadians to visit Canada.ca/Canada-Summer-Jobs to connect with employers who are hiring in their communities. This year, for the first time, students can search for employers by province or territory, municipality or postal code, so they can apply to employers in their community.

Additionally this year, more than 3,000 employers are first-time funding recipients, ensuring thousands of fresh new experiences for young Canadians. This year’s jobs fulfill five national priorities, designated by the Government of Canada, including:

• employers who intend to hire youth from underrepresented groups, including new immigrant youth and refugees, Indigenous youth, youth with disabilities and visible minorities;
• small businesses, in recognition of their contribution to the creation of jobs;
• organizations that support opportunities for official language minority communities;
• organizations that provide services and/or supports to the LGBTQ2 community; and
• organizations that provide opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and information and communications technology, particularly for women.

A summer job helps students gain new skills and valuable work experience while saving money for the school year ahead. Thanks to Canada Summer Jobs, young Canadians from across the country will be able to access thousands of job opportunities with small businesses, not-for-profit organizations and the public sector.

Quotes

“Canada’s young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow—they are leaders today. That’s why our government is focused on ensuring more young Canadians get the skills and training they need to thrive. By helping more young Canadians get paid, meaningful work experience, we can ensure they have a fair shot at success.” – The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“I am proud that the Canada Summer Jobs program is helping to create job opportunities for youth in the communities of the Long Range Mountains. The skills that our young people will gain from the summer jobs will be important for their future careers, and allow them access to mentorship and valuable work experience.” – Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament

Quick Facts

• Not-for-profit employers are eligible to receive funding for up to 100% of the minimum hourly wage. Small businesses with 50 or fewer employees and public-sector employers can receive up to 50 percent of the minimum hourly wage.
• Canada Summer Jobs is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy. Since 2005, the Youth Employment Strategy has helped over 900,000 young people gain the skills and work experience they need to find and keep good-quality jobs.
• Each year, the Government invests over $330 million in the Youth Employment Strategy. Budget 2016 announced an additional investment of $339 million over three years. This was followed by an additional investment of $395.5 million over three yearsin Budget 2017. These investments are helping: o more than 33,000 vulnerable youth develop the skills they need to find work or go back to school; o create 15,000 new green jobs for young Canadians; and o provide over 1,600 new employment opportunities for youth in the heritage sector.
• In 2017, the Government of Canada helped create nearly 70,000 summer job opportunities for students, which is double the number of jobs created through CSJ in 2015.
• Budget 2018 announced an investment of $448.5 million over five years to the Youth Employment Strategy. This funding will support the continued doubling of the number of Canada Summer Jobs opportunities in 2019.

Contact
Joanne Gillis
Corner Brook Constituency Office
49-51 Park Street
709-634-7540

Benoit 1st Nation would like to announce that the following people have been nominated for the Band Council:

Jasen Benwah aka Penwa Jes’n – Chief
Barbra Benoit McAlinden – Vice Chief
Conrad Benoit – Treasurer
Secretary – Myra Benoit
Womens Director – Lee Kerfont
Elders Director – Mary Phyllis Benoit Young
Youth Director – Tracy Jesso

Since only one person was nominated for each position each are Elected by Acclamation for the 3 year term and no election is required. Congratulations everyone.

The following people have been nominated as Band Council Committee Directors:

Public Works Director – Stephen Benoit
Heritage Park Director – George Benoit,
Program Director – Delina Petit Pas
Public Relations Director – Lory Benoit Jesso
Elders Council – Godfrey Benoit,
Elders Council – Jerome Benoit,
Elders Council – Wallace Cornect,
Elders Council – Edna M Benoit..

Congratulations everyone. Thanks to Edna Wheeler for being our Nomination Officer. Thanks to all those who came out to nominate people and for all the support from the membership. Thanks to all those who have volunteered to serve on the Band Council and on our Committees. Together we can do even more great things in the coming years.

Swearing -in will take place at the next Band Council Meeting.

Photo: Band member witnesses on hand for the nomination announcement.

(CORNER BROOK, NL) – August 24, 2017 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) is pleased to announce a three year financial commitment by Crosbie Group Limited towards the Corner Brook Region Junior Police Academy.

For over a decade, the RNC Corner Brook Region Junior Police Academy has provided a unique camping experience for children aged 9-12 years old through a four day/three night camp held in Gros Morne National Park.  Through the Junior Police Academy, the RNC has fostered stronger and healthier relationships between the participants and the police by breaking down historical barriers with youth from the Crestview Community and the Qalipu First Nation.

Today Crosbie Group Limited presented the RNC with a cheque for $11,000 for the 2018 Junior Police Academy.  Furthermore they have generously committed to providing financial contributions for the 2019 and 2020 Junior Police Academy.  This contribution by Crosbie Group Limited provides the financial security to ensure the continuation of the Junior Police Academy for the next three years in the Corner Brook Region.

 

Cst. Shawna Park #659
Media Relations

Corner Brook Region
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
Twitter: @RNC_PoliceNL
Facebook: RoyalNewfoundlandConstabulary
709-637-4100