Registration underway for Mi'kmaq to receive federal status

A year after an agreement-in-principle was signed between the Federation of Newfoundland Indians and the federal government, work continues on forming the Qalipu Mikmaq First Nation Band.

Since weve signed the agreement in principle on Nov. 30 [2007] in St. Georges, we have gone through the process of all the consultation sessions with the communities, said Brendan Sheppard, FNI president.

In June 2008, Mr. Sheppard met with Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs, to finalize the agreement that would provide status recognition for eligible Newfoundland Mikmaq under the Indian Act.

Then he came down to the Humber Valley Resort, that was in August, I believe, and we held a session there with the band chiefs and members of the different communities, added Mr. Sheppard.

Since that time, community assistants have been hired to help members and non-members of the FNI to complete applications for registrations into the Qalipu band. In addition, Mr. Sheppard said regional enrolment clerks have been hired to assist the enrolment committee, of which two Mikmaq representatives are members, as well as an appeals master.

The community assistants and the clerks have begun business with regard to people bringing in their information and filling out applications, said Mr. Sheppard. This process has been ongoing for a couple of weeks.

He noted the enrolment committee has until Dec. 2009 to register at least half of the 10,500 island Mikmaq identified by the FNI when they signed the agreement-in-principle in 2007.

I anticipate that were going to meet that number, said Mr. Sheppard. In very straightforward, simple language, these people have to bring in documentation starting with a long-form birth certificate of their own and connecting as far back as its necessary to the person that is recognized whether it be in the 45 census, the 21 census or some other colonial document or church records that indicates that person was of French-Indian, English-Indian, that sort of thing.

He said this is as far back that the Mikmaq need to go in their family history, but clear documentation is needed.

Some people will come in with fairly complex-type information, which is very hard for the committee and others to make a decision on, said Mr. Sheppard. But it has to be a very clear understanding by the people submitting information that if theres any missing links or anything, that application will obviously have to be given some serious consideration of being sent back to the applicant, because they are responsible for completing the link.

He noted clearly documenting ones family line is essential if they want to go on the Registrar of Indian Affairs once the Qalipu band is formed.

Therefore, every individual must do an application, said Mr. Sheppard. Every child must have an individual application as well and of course, the parent or guardian has to sign on behalf of that particular child.

Violet Dawson, enrolment clerk for Bay St. George, said she had processed just over 300 applicants files as of last week.

Theyll usually arrange a meeting with the community assistants and the community assistants let them know what theyre missing, noted Ms. Dawson. By the time it comes to me, the file is usually complete.

She added while each applicant needs their long-form birth certificates from Vital Statistics, church records for previous generations are acceptable.

Mr. Sheppard said a current problem with the application process is that the Vital Statistics division with the Department of Government Services in Corner Brook is swamped with requests for long-form birth certificates. He said it might be advisable for people to send their requests to the St. Johns office instead.

When asked about members of the former Ktaqamkuk Mikmaq Alliance, Mr. Sheppard said they were welcome to apply to become members of the Qalipu band.

This is an inclusive process for all Mikmaq people living on the island of Newfoundland, said Mr. Sheppard. Were not holding anything against any individual, regardless of what association or group they belonged to, or even if they even belonged to any group, anyway.

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SIDEBAR HEAD: Aiding in the enrolment process



The enrolment committee consisting of two federal government reps, two FNI reps, and an independent chair ¬¬ are responsible for reviewing all submitted applications, determining the eligibility of applicants as founding members, creating a first founding members by Nov. 2009, and creating a second founding members list within three years after the formation of the Qalipu Mikmaq First Nation Band.

Three enrolment clerks and nine community assistants have been hired to help people with the registration process.

Each enrolment clerk provides advice for applicants in completing their enrolment application; recommendations of further documentation an applicant may need; administrative assistance to the enrolment committee. Enrolment assistants aid in the enrolment process in various communities.

The enrolment clerk for Bay St. George is Violet Dawson. Address: ?K'taqmkuk Mi'kmaw Museum, ?P.O. Box 460, ?St. George's, NL, A0N 1Z0?. Email: violet@qalipu.com. Phone: 647-3513??. Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The four community assistants in the Bay St. George area are as follows:

??Judy Falle - St. George's Band. Address: ?K'taqmkuk Mi'kmaw Museum?, P.O. Box 460, ?St. George's, NL, A0N 1Z0. ?Email: judy@qalipu.com. ?Phone: 647-3504?. ?Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ?Third Monday of every month 1p.m. to 8 p.m.

April Nash - Flat Bay Band?. Address: Flat Bay Band Building, ?Box 15, Site 2, RR #1, ?St. George's, NL, A0N 1Z0. ?Email: april@qalipu.com. ?Phone: 647-1378?. ?Office Hours: Mon., Tues. and Wed. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ?Third Monday of each month 1p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wendy Wells - Indian Head First Nations?. Address: Office for the Formation of the Qalipu First Nations?, The Galen Building,? 143 Main St., ?Stephenville, NL, ?A2N 2M8?. Email: wendy@qalipu.com ?Phone: 643-5579?. ?Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.? Third Tuesday of every month 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Sherry Marche - Port au Port Band?. Address: Campbell's Creek Community Centre, ?P.O. Box 142, ?Port au Port, NL, A0N 1T0?. Email: sherry@qalipu.com. ?Phone: 648-2545. ??Office Hours: Mon., Tues. and Wed. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.? Third Monday of each month 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For people living outside of one of the FNI affiliated geographic communities, call 1-877-679-5551? ?For people not a member of the FNI but do live within the geographic locations of a FNI affiliated band, contact the staff for your area. For example: Mi'kmaq living on the Port au Port peninsula but not a member of the FNI can call Sherry Marche, Wendy Wells, Judy Falle, or Violet Dawson.

Source: www.qalipu.com