Terri Greene Benoit's Cove Ward Councilor

Notice to membership: please take note of our current office hours of operation. Wela'lin.

QFN MONDAY MORNING LIVE

📢 Updates from the Education & Training Department

The Education & Training Department is pleased to announce that a new post-secondary funding application form is now available for students.

Please note that the deadline for Fall 2026 semester applications has changed to May 31 ⏰.
This adjustment provides additional time for our team to carefully review all applications and notify students about funding decisions well before the semester begins.

We encourage all current and prospective students to review the eligibility criteria and ensure their applications are submitted before the new deadline.

👉 Access the updated application form here: qalipu.ca/forms/

Maw-Pemita'jik Qalipu'k - Top News October 24, 2025 - https://mailchi.mp/qalipu.ca/maw-pemitajik-qalipuk-top-news-this-week-5113805

Message from Chief Jenny - October 24, 2025

This week, I had the honor of attending an event hosted by the Nature Conservancy of Canada. It was an important opportunity to share our work in environmental stewardship and to highlight the vital role of partnerships in protecting our lands and waters. Strong relationships and collaboration are essential to achieving shared goals.

Together with the Nature Conservancy, our work at Charlie’s Place demonstrates the power of collaboration. Having signed a MOU in 2024, we are committed to protecting and conserving this area, long used by generations of Beothuk and Mi’kmaq people for traditional purposes, and still holding a deep cultural and spiritual significance.

I also recently met with key stakeholders, including the FFAW, the Fur Institute of Canada, and the Seals and Sealing Network. These conversations allowed us to strengthen connections, share expertise, and work to foster relationships that support the stewardship and monitoring of our lands and waters.

Meaningful partnerships require time, trust, and consistent engagement. By working closely with others, we can combine knowledge, share resources, and create initiatives that are inclusive, respectful, and effective for our communities. Meeting with these organizations reinforced that partnerships are not just beneficial, they are essential.

Together, we can preserve biodiversity, protect cultural heritage, empower our people, and build sustainable solutions for generations to come. I am proud of the work our Nation continues to lead and remain committed to fostering partnerships that support environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community well-being. Through collaboration and shared purpose, we can achieve lasting and meaningful impact.

A’tukwemk aq A’tukowinu’k - Storytelling and Storytellers. This Mi’kmaw History Month, we honour the voices that carry our history forward — the stories of our land, our people, and our ancestors. 🎥 Watch Stories of Ktaqmkuk: https://youtu.be/PUMf_9bZz9k

Information Sharing | Youth Opportunity

Calling all Indigenous youth, ages 14–35!

Are you interested in learning more about youth leadership, conserved and protected areas, climate change, and ocean literacy — all while traveling by ship through the Arctic with youth from around the world?

🌊 Apply today for the Students on Ice 2026 Expeditions — full scholarships are available!
🔗 https://soifoundation.org/en/youth/expeditions/application-process-youth/

If applicants have any questions about the process, please reach out to: [email protected]

Message from the Mental Wellness Team: 🌟

October is ADHD Awareness Month. We encourage everyone to learn more about ADHD and support those living with it. For resources and information, visit the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada: https://caddac.ca/adhd-awareness-month/

Maw-Pemita'jik Qalipu'k - Top News October 17, 2025 - https://mailchi.mp/qalipu.ca/maw-pemitajik-qalipuk-top-news-this-week-5113780

Message from Chief Jenny - October 17, 2025

Following this week’s provincial election, we congratulate Premier-designate Tony Wakeham and the Progressive Conservative Party on their majority win as well as all Members elected to the House of Assembly, especially those bringing Indigenous voices and perspectives to the legislature. We also acknowledge everyone who put their name forward; participating in the democratic process is an act of service to our province.

During the campaign, Premier-designate Tony Wakeham responded to questions from First Light Friendship Centre with a tone that emphasized collaboration, including a commitment to implement Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, the Innu Child Protection Inquiry recommendations, and advancing UNDRIP. He also spoke to cultural inclusion in education, youth engagement, and the creation of a civilian-led Police Oversight Board, signaling awareness of systemic bias and Indigenous justice concerns.

While these commitments are encouraging, they must be backed by measurable timelines, meaningful engagement, and appropriate resources.

Our Nation is a strategic partner in Newfoundland and Labrador’s future, advancing clean energy leadership, maritime strength, and defense readiness through initiatives such as Newdock. Meaningful engagement with our Nation drives inclusive economic growth by strengthening infrastructure, building workforce capacity, enabling joint ventures, and enhancing governance to ensure projects move forward with legitimacy and shared purpose. We also champion reconciliation, cultural inclusion, and environmental stewardship, positioning the province as a leader for sustainable and equitable development.

We are builders, not merely beneficiaries. If the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador partners meaningfully with First Nations, it can unlock opportunities for investment, growth, and innovation where everyone can benefit. We are ready to help build a stronger, more inclusive province.

As we move forward, I call on our new provincial leadership to engage with us in the spirit of true reconciliation. That means listening, resourcing, and respecting our governance. Our Nation is strong, capable, and committed to the growth for our people and the future of this province. As the saying goes in conversations about Indigenous economics, “If you’re not at the dinner table, you might end up on the menu.” This is a reminder that Indigenous voices must be included, heard, and respected in every decision that affects our communities.