On Oct. 23rd, 2012, the results of a 63-year-long struggle will take place in nine electoral wards across Newfoundland. The largest First Nations Band in the country, the Qalipu Mi’kmaq, will hold their first officially sanctioned elections as full status First Nations people.
The story of Newfoundland’s Qalipu Mi’Kmaq debunks a number of long-held myths. Among them is that not all Newfoundlanders are long lost Irishmen and not all of Newfoundland’s indigenous peoples vanished when the last Beothuk died in the early 1800’s. But the Qalipus (pronounced Hal-lay-boo) prove at least one irrefutable truth – the enduring tenacity of Canada’s aboriginal soul.
The newly-created Mi’Kmaq Band was formally announced by the government of Canada in Sept. 2011, in conjunction with agreements reached with the Federation of Newfoundland Indians. The announcement included provisions for elections to be held within 18 months.
The Qalipu’s fight for status began in 1949 when the province became part of Canada. In 1971, after years of futility, the Federation of Newfoundland Indians formed to act on behalf of Newfoundland’s Mi’Kmaq people. In 1984, a small community in Conne River, the Miawpukek Mi’Kmaq, were granted reserve-based status but other Mi’Kmaq around the island were denied.
Over the next three decades, the FNI reached incremental successes. In 2008, an “Agreement-In-Principle” was signed between the FNI and the Canadian government, outlining procedures toward full ratification and recognition of the Qalipu Mi’Kmaq Band.
Brendan Sheppard, acting interim Qalipu Band Chief, has been with the FNI since its inception and named president in 1994.
“There are many people who worked hard and never lost belief that this day would arrive,” Sheppard said.
Sheppard hopes to be the Band’s first elected chief.
“I feel good about it (the election),” Sheppard said.
“I do hope to win, but more than that I believe in the democratic process of it. I want to make things as easy as possible for people to be able to vote, that’s why we decided to hold elections before bad weather hits. It’s important that as many people as possible participate.”
Participants are Qalipu members who have already had their enrollment process completed and accepted. That includes accepted band members living outside of Newfoundland. There are approximately 21,500 members, more than all the other First Nations Bands in Atlantic Canada combined. By the end of the enrolment process the Ontario’s Six Nations Band, whose membership stands at 24,000 people, will lose their title as the largest First Nations band in Canada.
Nov. 30 is the closing date to apply for application into the “Founding Members Enrollment” process.
The new band is one of only a few “landless” bands across Canada. Landless bands are not connected to a specific reserve and receive only off reserve entitlements.
