Qalipu applicants gather in protest of application process

Image via @CFCBRadio.

Almost 100 people gathered at the steps of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq offices on Church Street yesterday, protesting the Qalipu application process and the large number of applications for the band yet to be processed, with the March deadline for status quickly approaching.

From VOCM:

At issue is possible changes to membership qualifications for the Qalipu. The application process ended in November, and after the receipt of 100,000 submissions, some 70,000 have yet to be processed. Concern is mounting as to whether or not those remaining applicants will be subject to the same guidelines.

From CBC:

An agreement with the federal government which recognizes their status is set to expire at the end of March. Some of the demonstrators at Monday’s event said they haven’t been able to get a straight answer from Sheppard on what will happen after that.

MP Gerry Byrne was in attendance as well (VOCM even reports the protest as being organized by the MP), but after being invited inside the office and asking for a meeting with Qalipu Band Chief Brendan Sheppard (who was not in attendance at the time), was promptly asked to leave.

http://storify.com/tomcochrane/qalipu-band-protest-jan-21-2013

What do you think of the Qalipu band application process? Let us know in the comments!

Jay

How many of the 100,000 applicants are really interested in their history? I bet the majority are only out for the government handouts. I say quit now and give no one else the handouts. I work and pay for everything (kids education, prescriptions, and vehicles), I do not want to pay for some of their benefits. Stop the handouts!
- Carrie
  
  Why are you assuming everyone applying is looking for a handout? Are you implying that all people of aboriginal descent are greedy? To even apply for this a person has to trace their history back generations. The greatest part of all of this is discovering your past and seeing the importance of it. Sadly, the worst part is having to listen to racist ignorant folks who think that just because a person is requesting to be part of a group they are automatically wanting to reap the the assistance benefits. You said you work and pay for everything? Well you pay into government assistance programs in case YOU ever need it. Does this mean you’re going to quit your job and go on welfare? No. But you assume because someone of aboriginal descent they will? I really hope those kids you “work and pay for” won’t be as racist as you are when they grow up.
  - Jay
    
    Its not racism at all. In my opinion, if no handouts were offered I bet the applicants would be much lower. Please don’t try to use the racism card.
  - cj
    
    To start, using the term “handouts” is pretty ignorant. Also, if assuming most people of native decent only want their heritage recognized as a way to abuse the system isn’t a prejudiced view of a particular group, then it’s a pretty bleak outlook on humanity as a whole.
  - Jay
    
    Well if no incentives were offered, I bet the applicants would be a lot lower
  - cj
    
    and is that because of your lack of faith in the human species in general or a lack in faith of the native community?
- WS
  
  I can’t believe people as stupid as you exist. Someone’s jealous over the indianssss! Get over it.
Darren

Well said Carrie.
Ann

I don’t see how Jay’s comment is at all racist. He raises a valid point about the program being abused by many folks of little to no legitimate aboriginal interest nor descent–not against true aboriginal descendants who are passionate about their heritage. Also, he expresses opposition to a government program because of what it is and how it works–not who it’s for. You don’t have to agree with his stance, but remember that labelling someone as an “ignorant” bigot because they don’t share your view is prejudiced.
- http://twitter.com/Brad_Evoy Brad Evoy
  
  Actually, calling a spade, a spade on this one is pretty accurate. The statements above were complete generalizations and a caricature meant solely to undermine the legitimacy of First Nations people in this province. Calling someone out on that isn’t simply ‘disagreeing’, its proper and corrective.
  
  Indeed, it seems many lack the actual context of ongoing attempts at marginalization and assimilation of First Nations in Newfoundland and Labrador. So let me fill you in, so you can understand the situation a bit better:
  
  Many folks are only just discovering a long-hidden cultural and social heritage, hidden from them and others to prevent long-lasting social stigma and ferocious government-led discrimination. What government is doing now is required of them by their agreements with the Band – in leu of literally losing territory to them in part – via the standards of the Indian Act and most importantly via the various treaties and documents which govern our relationship with the Crown itself. Moreover, for the actions of the State against First Nations in this province, historically, any compensation is more than just, it is necessary.
  
  As well, in this province – particularly on the West Coast – we often forget the high conflation between low-income communities and their true origin as First Nations ghettos – where this marginalized community was isolated by, again, a knowing and active government – such as with the former Crow Gulch. I guess what I’m saying here is this: It is easy and lazy to manufacture and regurgitate a stereotype of Qalipu. These things aren’t simple disagreements around ‘government programs’ but rather a long history of a people oppressed and others who simply cannot fathom the idea that they carry privilege in our society.
  - Brad N
    
    To receive these benefits, one should have to live the native lifestyle.
  - http://twitter.com/Brad_Evoy Brad Evoy
    
    Cool story, but do you understand what decades upon decades of assimilation and repression looks like? That’d be what we have here. Successive governments have destroyed First Nations culture in this province.
    
    I mean, it was only very recently in our history that we’ve even admitted that Mi’kmaq in Newfoundland and Labrador were present on this island traditionally and not apart of some French-led blood guilt massacre of the Beothuk.
    
    So look, revel in some idealized depiction of “the native lifestyle” but this isn’t accurate to the situation of Mi’kmaq culture within this province.