A west coast cultural foundation must change its name

Why the band has ordered Stephenville organization to drop ‘Qualipu’ from its name

CORNER BROOK – It was started as an arms-length organization of the Qalipu First Nation, but the organization responsible for preserving and promoting the culture and heritage of the band has been told it can no longer use the word ‘Qalipu’ in its name.

So, the Qalipu Cultural Foundation, which has its office in Stephenville, has rebranded itself as the Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation.

In a press release issued March 10, the foundation said the decision to prohibit it from using ‘Qalipu’ as part of its name was made by the band’s chief and council.

The foundation said it was informed of the decision when it received legal correspondence in January that said recent changes at the organization had removed any oversight or governance by the band. As a result, the letter said, band council representatives do not participate on the board of the foundation.

The foundation said that reasoning is untrue and, as per its bylaws, at least one director of the foundation would have to be both a member of the foundation and a current member of the band council.

“Since the most recent Qalipu First Nation election, the band has not appointed a current councillor to this role,” said the foundation in a press release.

“Although this situation is disappointing, as we see great value in collaborative working relationships, the Mi’kmaw Cultural Foundation will continue to exist to preserve and promote the culture and heritage of the

Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland and Labrador as we strive to inspire our people to proudly embrace their heritage and empower them to continue the traditions of our ancestors."

The foundation’s statements caused the band to issue its own press release on March 14 to provide clarification on the rebranding.

To ensure the success of the foundation when it started in 2014, the band assigned staff to support its day-today operations, committed funds and other resources and appointed a member of the council to serve on the board.

In 2021, the band said the foundation dismissed Qalipu staff from its team and failed to accept the band’s proposed representative for the board.

The press release said council became further concerned when the foundation changed its bylaws on three occasions to remove any governance or oversight by the band related to the operation of the foundation.

It said it became clear to the band that the foundation intended to move forward without the Qalipu First Nation when it received a letter outlining the foundation’s desire to separate from the band and for the freedom to move forward with a panindigenous approach not tied solely to supporting band members.

Qalipu said it was saddened to see the once-positive relationship change but has supported the foundation in moving in the direction it envisioned.

The band said because using the name ‘Qalipu’ implied some affiliation or relationship, confusing band members, funders, government and other stakeholders, it became necessary to direct the foundation to stop using ‘Qalipu’ in its name.