Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation
The Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation is one of the youngest First Nations in Canada, and at the same time by far the largest in number. The group living on Newfoundland had almost 24,000 members recognized by the government as Indians in December 2013 . The First Nation only came into being in 2011 and was the result of around four decades of negotiations for recognition by the authorities and thus for registration by the responsible ministry, the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development .
The name is derived from Qalipu , the name of the Mi'kmaq for the caribou, the North American reindeer . Membership in a Mi'kmaq community that existed before 1949 is a condition for acceptance. Ancestry can be based on birth or adoption. Evidence is provided either through census records, historical sources, church or school records, or simple confirmations from personal knowledge of a tribe member or from oral tradition. However, the basis is usually the so-called Long Form Birth Certificate , a detailed birth certificate or a family tree. A so-called blood quantum , a minimum number of “pure” Indian ancestors, is not required.
History of negotiations
When Newfoundland became the last province to join the Canadian Federation in 1949 , there were no agreements on land or reservations ( Indian reserves ), so the Indian Act was not applied to them. Nonetheless, ad hoc donations were occasionally made on the basis of this law, but without a system.
The Mi'kmaq on Newfoundland were not recognized as Indians due to the Indian Act, but they united in the Native Association of Newfoundland and Labrador , the later Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI). In 1972 six so-called bands belonged to the FNI on the island . These were the Benoits Cover First Nations (now Elmastogoeg ), the Corner Brook Indian Band, the Flat Bay Indian Band, the Gander Bay Indian Band, the Glenwood Mi'kmaq First Nation and the Port au Port Indian Band. They tried to get recognition and protection of their social, cultural, economic and educational rights.
First of all, the province agreed to the clarification of the genealogical relationships and the negotiations for recognition could begin. First the Mi'kmaq from Conne River succeeded in entering the process of recognition because, in contrast to the other Mi'kmaq groups “resident in designated native communities”, they were residents of one of the localities of the indigenous people. As a result, the group withdrew from the FNI after gaining recognition under Indian law. The FNI continued its parentage studies and reached out to Ottawa directly . David Crombie, the chief minister of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, asked the provincial government to participate in the three-party negotiations, but refused.
In 1989, the FNI filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court , and three other bands joined the Federation, namely the Exploits Indian Band (now Sple'tk First Nation ), the St. George's Indian Band and the Stephenville / Stephenville Crossing Band (now Indian Head First Nations ). Now the Indian Ministry suggested that the proceedings be suspended in order to be able to discuss an agreement, which the FNI agreed to. However, when there was no progress, the FNI resumed the process in 2001. In 2002 the FNI Canada submitted a proposal for a “Mi'kmaq regime”. In 2002, each constituent group had to define criteria that should apply to the inclusion of each individual in their tribe (band).
Marc Lalonde was supposed to mediate in the negotiations. There was consensus that all members of the FNI wanted registration under the Indian Act, and the FNI guaranteed voting by all members. Canada suggested considering the Newfoundland Mi'kmaq as a landless tribe, but had to meet all other criteria for recognition.
On this basis, the preliminary negotiations began in 2003. The lawsuit was again suspended and official negotiations began in 2004. The FNI represented 10,500 Mi'kmaq, more than 10,000 Mi'kmaq were represented by their bands. A corresponding agreement in principle was reached on November 30, 2007. 90% of the members voted on March 30, 2008 to accept the result, Ottawa ratified the contract in June 2008. By November 30, 2009, 25,000 applications for membership in the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Band had been received, of which 11,000 dated Enrollment Committee was approved. On June 14, 2011, the Supreme Court of Canada dismissed all oppositions. This created by far the largest Indian tribe in Canada. In December 2011 it had 21,424 relatives, in December 2013 there were 23,927.
Government, elections
The government of the tribe is incumbent on a Band Council (Tribal Council). This advice emerged from the Board of Directors of the Federation of Newfoundland Indians. It consists of the chief Brendan Sheppard from Flat Bay and two vice chiefs for the western and central regions (in 2011 these were Kevin Barnes and Terry Mills). There are also nine so-called Electoral Ward Councilors . Every eligible voter votes in the ward (district) in which he lives. Those who do not live in any of the districts are entitled to vote where they last lived or where they were assigned when they were resp. she was recognized as a member by the authorities. Each eligible voter can cast one vote for the chief, one for the vice chief responsible for his region, and one for the local Electoral Ward Councilor.
There are departments (departments or ministries) for work, business, health, culture and heritage, as well as for finance and administration. The local band councils (tribal councils) continue to exist.
Web links
Remarks
- ↑ Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development ( Memento of the original from January 13, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. .
- ↑ Chiefs and Councilors, Chiefs and Councilors
- ↑ Maps of the districts ( Memento of the original from January 31, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. .
