January 1, 2008

I am pleased to present—and recommend for ratification by the members of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians—the Agreement-in-Principle to form the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band.

The FNI and our Negotiating Team have been working to create this historic Agreement-in-Principle with Canada since 2002. Our negotiators were guided by the objectives that FNI members set for the FNI when it formed in 1972. Of key importance were these two goals:
- official federal recognition of the FNI’s Mi’kmaq, so that members might take advantage of programs and benefits available from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs
- registration of the FNI’s Mi’kmaq as Status Indians, so that members could enjoy this status if they desired

I am happy to tell you that the negotiated Agreement-in-Principle allows us to achieve our objectives. When it’s created, the new Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band and its members will be able to access federal programs that are available to non-reserve Status Indians—including post-secondary student support, non-insured health benefits, and community economic development opportunities.

This website presents information about the contents of the Agreement-in- Principle, and describes the steps that must occur to create the new band. The full Agreement-in-Principle is also on the site. I urge you to read everything carefully, bring your questions to an information session, and take part in the Ratification Vote on March 29, 2008.

You will notice that one of the characteristics of the new band is that it will be “landless.” Before negotiations began in earnest, the FNI team explored with Canada the best way to ensure that Newfoundland Mi’kmaq who wanted Status Indian recognition would be able to acquire it. These discussions led to negotiations for the creation of a landless band under the Indian Act. This means that if the Agreement-in-Principle is ratified and enough Founding Members are enrolled to form the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band, the new band will not have an associated reserve.

The creation of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band will provide advantages going forward. For example, it will be able to pursue land claims—as this Agreement-in-Principle does not affect any aboriginal rights. Forming this new band in fact provides a better way for Mi’kmaq to pursue potential land claims and other aboriginal rights: as an organized, united, and effective group.

Our people have struggled for a long time to gain recognition from the Government of Canada. I believe creating the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band will honour all who have worked for this goal, and be a great benefit to our people. It will allow us to bring stronger focus to developing opportunities for Mi’kmaq in Newfoundland, so that we can improve our education, obtain greater access to health benefits, and take advantage of employment opportunities.

I see this Agreement-in-Principle as a tremendous opportunity to improve the quality of life of our people, and I hope you will share this vision. This moment would have been even more meaningful only if all the Elders who worked for this goal were still here to realize it with us.

The Ratification Vote takes place on March 29, 2008. I urge you again to carefully read the material here, participate in the discussions and ask questions, and vote “Yes” on March 29, 2008.

Brendan Sheppard
President, Federation of Newfoundland Indians

Read the March 30, 2008 press release about the vote results