Qalipu First Nation The Qalipu First Nation exists to achieve the advancement of our people. We do this through being spiritual, accountable, professional and progressive. Inside the Annual Report Qalipu Background 3 Message from the Chief-Brendan Mitchell 4 Message from the CEO-Annie Randell 5 Qalipu Election 2015 6 Strategic Plan 7-8 Operations Department Report 9-12 Work Force Qalipu Report 13-15 Service Qalipu Report 16-20 Federation of Newfoundland Indians Report 21 Qalipu Business Trust Report 22 Snapshots 2015-2016 23 Other important information for members 24 About Qalipu The presence of Mi’kmaq populations living in Newfoundland was ignored in the Terms of Union when Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949. In the 60 years that passed before recognition was achieved in 2011, the caribou people had roamed far and wide. Qalipu (Pronounced: ha-lee-boo, Meaning: Caribou) is a vibrant Mi’kmaq First Nation established in 2011 as an Indigenous Band under the Indian Act. With some 24,000 members spread across many communities both on the island and abroad, we are one of the largest First Nation groups in Canada. Qalipu has no reserve land; it is made up of 66 traditional Mi’kmaq communities, spread out over 9 Electoral Wards. An elected Chief and Council govern the Qalipu First Nation. Ward Councilors are elected to represent each of the nine Wards. Additionally, two Vice-Chiefs represent western and central Newfoundland and the Chief is the official spokesperson and leader of the Qalipu First Nation as a whole. Qalipu has three satellite offices located in Glenwood, Grand Falls-Windsor, and St. George’s and its central administrative office is in Corner Brook. These offices give representation to the regions of our dispersed Mi’kmaq communities. Core programs and services are delivered by a growing body of staff. Our service offering includes education and training, health benefits and services, employment programs, registration assistance, environmental monitoring, culture and heritage and community economic development. Qalipu also conducts a variety of special programs which vary from year to year. Economic and Corporate development are led by the Qalipu Business Trust Committee which is comprised of representation from Council, senior staff and members at large. The Committee, along with the Qalipu Business Network, and the Mawio’mi Business Forum, represent some of the avenues where relationships are built and partnerships are formed with industry and other stakeholders to foster Band prosperity and growth. Get to know us better by exploring our website, Qalipu.ca, or spending time with us at National Aboriginal Day and other celebrations that are shared on our events calendar. 3 Message from the Chief-Brendan Mitchell Kwe’ On behalf of Council, Executive and initiatives. An additional $6 million staff, I would like to welcome you annually is being put towards the to our Annual General Assembly. education pursuits of our member- Each year we take the opportunity ship. to get together for a look at the Membership in the Qalipu First year gone by—to share our finan- Nation continues to be in the cial report, our successes and chal- process of finalization. In April lenges and to invite you, the mem- it was announced that 6500 bership, to ask questions and pro- applications previously deemed vide feedback. invalid will now be processed. This On November 23, 2015 the newly situation has resulted in extending elected Qalipu Council took office. the enrolment process completion In just seven short months a date to January 30, 2017. The lot has been achieved. Particularly, Council and I are looking forward we have accomplished a greater to the completion of this process level of community engagement, and will continue to work in the improved on the relationship with best interest of members and their our sister nation, Miawpukek communities. First Nation, and placed greater In the year to come you can expect attention to business development to see a continued high level of opportunities that are good not engagement. We look forward to only for the economy, but also for meeting many of you at cultural the earth and future generations. events, Town Hall meetings and Our Members continue to benefit other community events as we significantly by way of health move forward in 2016. I also look and education benefits with forward to seeing all of you at the contributions of approximately upcoming summer powwows in $11.7 million to member medical Conne River and Flat Bay. program benefits and other health Wela’lin Chief Brendan Mitchell Snapshots 2015-2016 Swearing in Ceremony, Nov. 23, 2015 MFNAN Christmas Party 2015 Meeting with CAP National Chief Dwight A game of Waltes Dorey Indigenous Peoples week at Speaking Engagement Grenfell Volunteer Appreciation Day First meeting with Minister First Christmas at Qalipu office Carolyn Bennett Wampum Belt Project Visiting Conne River Working Together Message from the CEO-Annie Randell “It is my pleasure to announce that in 2015- How Qalipu is structured 2016 Qalipu received the best score in Atlantic Qalipu is governed by an elected Chief and Canada…” Council. Through their regular Council and Ward meetings with members, goals and objectives are brought forward for implemen- will provide the Band with greater tation into the Strategic Plan. This is our five flexibility to utilize funds that are pro- vided by the department. year guiding document. Its objectives are also developed in consultation with members and In the spring of 2015-2016 Qalipu sent Qalipu staff. As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for out a Planning Survey to its member- the Qalipu First Nation oversight and ship as one level of consultation for a 5- The Chief works directly with the CEO to management of day to day operations year Strategic Plan. More than 1100 ensure that the goals and objectives of Council is my responsibility. As you will under- members provided extensive feedback are understood, and can be actioned by staff in stand when you read through this to this survey. The Strategic Plan was their Annual Operating Plans. report it certainly takes a well accepted by Council in September, established and committed team to 2015. The clear focus of Chief and The CEO holds regular meetings with Directors provide quality programs and services. Council on this strategy along with the of the three Departments of Qalipu. As CEO I rely on the expertise and dedi- dedication of our employees, is critical Operations (Finance, Administration, Health), cation of staff. Therefore, a sincere to delivering strong performance for Work Force Qalipu (Post-secondary educa- thank you to all Directors, Managers you, our members. Thank you to each and front line staff for their dedication of you for providing your thoughts on tion, demand-driven skills training, and to assist our members to enhance the direction of this organization. employment programs ) and Service Qalipu their lives. I would also like to say (Community Economic Development, Culture thank you to the members at large who Qalipu held its second Chief and Council and Heritage, Natural Resources). Each of give so generously of their time to election on October 23, 2015. The elec- these teams carry out the core services availa- participate on Qalipu’s various Stand- tion process is governed by an Election ing Committees. Code and is burdened with many issues ble to members of the Band. that need correction. However, in or- Standing Committees, made up of members It is my pleasure to announce that in der for the Election Code to be amend- of Council, key staff and members at large, are 2015-2016 Qalipu received the best ed, ratification by the membership is score within Atlantic Canada from In- required. One of the goals within the in place to revisit Annual Operating Plans and digenous and Northern Affairs Canada Strategic Plan under Operational Excel- ensure that Qalipu is on track with it’s (INAC) for having the capacity to deliv- lence is to seek a tool or method of Strategic Plan. er programs and services. INAC and voting in Qalipu elections that will pro- Health Canada complete a General vide more time to voters outside ward Independent “arms” (QDC and QCF) of Qalipu Assessment each year to provide a boundaries to vote. have been established to oversee priority score of the organization's perfor- areas of responsibility that are important to mance. This score is relative to its The Band has been focused on quality, the Band and require independent direction. funding agreement and highlights risks transparency and accountability since that may impact upon future per- its inception. I am committed to pro- The Qalipu Development Corporation (QDC) formance. Organizations are catego- vide Council with advice and dedication and its Board of Directors has been established rized as low, medium or high risk. Qal- to continuously improve governance, to pursue business development and economic ipu is categorized as low risk with a planning, financial and program opportunities. score of 2.04. Risk factors that are con- management. sidered include governance, planning, The Qalipu Cultural Foundation (QCF) and financial and program management. As Throughout this report, I am delighted its Board of Directors has been established to a result of this low risk score Qalipu is to share many examples of operational working toward a Block Funding Agree- success within Qalipu during 2015- support Mi’kmaq culture in our province. ment with INAC, such an agreement 2016. 5 Qalipu Election 2015 On October 23, 2015 an election was held to choose the Chief and aboriginal organizations including Chief Mi’sel Joe of the Miaw- Council, the leaders of the Qalipu First Nation. As per the Custom pukek First Nation, and Chief Liz LaSaga of the Flat Bay Band.