Update on the Review of Applications Previously Determined to be Invalid in the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Enrolment Process

OTTAWA, April 13, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, and Brendan Mitchell, Chief of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation, provided an update on the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Enrolment Process.

In March, Canada and the Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) announced they will give individuals the opportunity to correct and provide additional documentation in support of their application for review by the Enrolment Committee.

This decision is a result of collaborative efforts between Canada and the FNI to give a broad application to the Foster and Howse court decisions and provide applicants a fair opportunity to demonstrate they should be founding members of the First Nation.

These applicants will receive a letter this month detailing steps they must take for their applications to be reviewed for membership. If an applicant had their application "determined to be invalid" in November 2013 and does not receive a letter from the Enrolment Committee by April 30, 2016, they should call 1-800-561-2266.

As a result of these additional applications, Canada and the FNI have agreed to extend the deadline for the review of all eligible applications for enrolment to no later than January 31, 2017. The deadline for completion of the appeals process will be September 30, 2017.

To meet these deadlines, the parties will add four members – two each from Canada and the FNI – to process applications. These new members will assess applications in accordance with the 2008 Agreement and the 2013 Supplemental Agreement.

Quotes

"Determining a process to allow these applicants to remedy their applications ensures all eligible applicants have an opportunity to demonstrate why they should be a member of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs

"One of the best ways of communicating, especially here in Newfoundland, is through word of mouth among our community connections.  I encourage everyone to help share this message with friends and family.  This is an opportunity for approximately 6,500 applicants to provide additional information to better support their application, previously deemed invalid.  We want to make sure everyone is aware of this update and its impact on possible acceptance into the Qalipu First Nation."

Brendan Mitchell
Chief of the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation

Associated Links

Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Enrolment Process
Update on the Review of all Invalid Applications in the Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation Enrolment Process

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SOURCE Government of Canada

Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160