FNI
The Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) is a not-for-profit organization
that represents over 10,000 non-status Mi’kmaq Indians in Western and Central
Newfoundland, Canada.
Since its establishment in 1972, its primary
goal has been to achieve official recognition for its members under the Indian
Act.
FNI has recently moved closer to this goal through
the creation of an Agreement-in-Principle with
the Government of Canada.
On March 29, 2008, 90% of FNI’s membership voted in favour of ratifying the Agreement.
Once an enrolment process is complete, a new band
– the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band – will be established. Its
members, as Status Indians, will have access to better education
and health programs, its communities to more stable funding, and
the Qalipu Band will be in a stronger position to continue the FNI
mandate – to promote the social, cultural, economic and educational
well-being of the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland.
*Qalipu is pronounced hal-lay-boo. It is the Mi’kmaq word for caribou.
For more information about FNI, please visit their website: fni.nf.ca