Qalipu First Nation joins Assembly of First Nations Next steps include advocating for a regional vice-chief position for Newfoundland
The Qalipu First Nation is now a member of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), a body that seeks to represent some 900,000 First Nations people across Canada.
“It was our time right now, to become members of the AFN,” Qalipu Chief Brendan Mitchell told The Central Voice Friday, the day after the vote.
“We came from a very lengthy background of struggle for recognition. …And we hear a lot of talk in this country about truth and reconciliation, but reconciliation particularly, and it can take many forms, so for Newfoundland Mi’kmaq Qalipu First Nation, yesterday’s acknowledgment by the Assembly of First Nations, and the Assembly of First Nations chiefs across Canada, it does represent a significant means of reconciliation for us here in Newfoundland.”
The AFN held its 39th Annual General Assembly in Vancouver this week, bringing together chiefs from all over Canada. Chief Mi’sel Joe of the Miawpukek First Nation, which was already an AFN member, along with Glenwood and Flat Bay, put forward the motion, which was seconded by Miawpukek Councillor Corey John.
Mitchell was grateful to supporters both close to and far from home; he named Shayne Macdonald, Regional Chief Morley Googoo, the Atlantic provincial chiefs, and newly re-elected National Chief Perry Bellegarde, along with Joe and John. He also thanked the leadership of the Congress of
Aboriginal Peoples (CAP), to which the Qalipu have belonged for some time.
“For us, moving to the Assembly of First Nations yesterday, it was our time,” Mitchell said. “Standing by and with other Indigenous groups in this country, I think that’s where we need to be as an organization and a people.”
The AFN, however, has not been immune to criticism. It has been called out for flattening the needs of individual First Nations across Canada, as well as for perhaps being too friendly with the federal government.
Mitchell sees things differently.
“People made a few comments up there about the closeness the AFN has with the federal government, but let me say this to you: maybe it’s time to get a better relationship with government for the purposes of getting things done,” he said.
Joe said despite the naysayers, there is a lot of value to be gained in membership.
“There are always going to be those things said about any organization,” he said. “You have to remember, AFN is controlled by the chiefs, not a national
chief.”
Joe argued the body allows Indigenous entities to be part of a wider-based group that stretches from coast to coast to coast and connects them to all levels of government. Furthermore, now that the island part of Newfoundland and Labrador has four members at the table — Miawpukek, Qalipu, Flat Bay, and Glenwood — he said it paves the way for the creation of a regional vice-chief position for Newfoundland. Currently, Mi’kmaq living here are represented by Regional Chief Morley Googoo out of Nova Scotia.
“There are over 20,000 Mi’kmaq in Newfoundland,” Joe said, adding that the connection with Nova Scotia leadership has not been a bad thing. “But we would be better served by having our own regional vice-chief.”
That process will continue in December at the AFN Special Chief’s Assembly, and will require a change to the charter of the organization.
While there is more work to be done, both Joe and Mitchell agree that this is a positive step for the Qalipu First Nation. Mitchell compared his organization to one of the final few pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, just before it’s completed. He also noted that while a few chiefs abstained from the vote, no one spoke out against Qalipu membership.
“We’re finally at a place where we have recognition from our brothers and sisters in Atlantic Canada, and today we’re part of an organization that I have been trying to get involved with since I became chief two and half years ago,” he said. “We finally did it yesterday.”
“For us, moving to the Assembly of First Nations yesterday, it was our time. Standing by and with other Indigenous groups in this country, I think that’s where we need to be as an organization and a people.”
Qalipu Chief Brendan Mitchell