Background Information

The Federation of Newfoundland Indians (FNI) was established in 1972 to promote the social, cultural, economic and educational well being of the Mi’kmaq people of Newfoundland. The FNI currently represent approximately 10,500 Mi’Kmaqs affiliated with nine local bands and a general membership list.

Based in Corner Brook, the FNI is administered through an elected executive comprised of a president, two regional vice-presidents, a board of directors made up of a youth director and elected chiefs representing the following bands:

• Corner Brook Indian Band
• Elmastogoeg Indian Band
• Flat Bay Indian Band
• St. George’s Indian Band
• Port au Port East Indian Band
• Indian Head First Nations
• Sple'tk First Nations
• Glenwood Mi’Kmaq 1st Nation
• Gander Bay Indian Band

The primary goal of the FNI is to achieve official recognition for its members either through a self-government process or the Indian Act.

When Newfoundland joined Confederation, Mi’kmaq living in the province were not covered under the Indian Act. Exploratory discussions between the Government of Canada and the FNI commenced in 2002 to determine how the Indian Act could be extended to FNI members. Preliminary negotiations commenced in 2003. An agreement was reached between the negotiators for the FNI and Canada in the summer of 2007 to address that inequality.

On November 30, 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited St. Georges, Newfoundland, to announce that an Agreement-in-Principle had been reached to provide an opportunity for the Mi’kmaq of Newfoundland to obtain official recognition as status Indians under the Indian Act.

Pending ratification of the agreement, the FNI and Canada will then sign a final agreement. The FNI anticipates that the registration and enrollment process would begin in the fall of 2008. Once the first phase of registration is successfully completed an Order in Council forming the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band and its founding members will be issued... It is anticipated that the new band, could possibly be established early in 2010. No reserve will be created as a result of this agreement.

*Qalipu is pronounced hal-lay-boo. It is the Mi’kmaq word for caribou.

For further information regarding the Federation of Newfoundland Indians please call 709-634-0996