PRESS RELEASES
June 23, 2008
CANADA HAS SIGNED AGREEMENT TO FORM QALIPU FIRST NATIONS
On June 23, 2008 the The Honorable Chuck Strahl, Minister of
Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Metis and
Non-Status Indians and President of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians, Mr.
Brendan Sheppard signed the Agreement in Principle for status recognition for
eligible Mi’kmaq under the Indian Act. The signing of this agreement was
celebrated on August 13, 2008 at the Humber Valley Resort in Western NL.
“This final agreement shows what is possible when two parties engage in
positive, productive discussions,” said Minister Strahl. The final agreement
sets in motion an enrolment process that will provide eligible members of the
Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland with status under the Indian Act.
“The Agreement signifies the dedicated efforts of many Mi’kmaq, who struggled to
maintain their identity, heritage and culture in Newfoundland throughout the
years,” said Mr. Sheppard. “it is most evident that the official ratification of
the Agreement in Principle truly reflects the sincerity and commitment of Prime
Minister Harper’s government to work in good faith with consideration for the
Aboriginal people of Canada.”
The FNI will lead the enrollment process. This process will include hiring
Community Assistants for each local band to help members and non-members to
complete an application for registration into the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation
Band, hiring three Regional Clerks to assist the Enrollment Committee and hiring
two Mi’kmaq representatives for the Enrollment Committee. These aforementioned
personnel will be in place by mid September and it is anticipated that the first
intake of applications for review will commence by December 2008. Visit the
www.qalipu.com for up to date information on the process or to download an
application for enrollment (application will be available by late September).