Burgeo Mi'kmaq split off to form Newfoundland's newest Aboriginal band

Disenchanted by the QalipuFirst Nation Band'senrolment process, a group of Indigenous people in Burgeohave decided to form their own Mi'kmaqband as a way of bringinga stronger, more unified voice to the region.

Greg Janes was elected the new chief of the Burgeo Band of Indians onMarch 23. He said after years of people in thearea feeling excluded from the larger Qalipu band whether due to geographical or ideological difference they decided it was time to re-form their own band.

"We felt that we really didn't matter in the old process. Everything's been centralized, whether it be Corner Brook or Bay St. George area," said Janes."We didn't ask for the whole pie, we just asked for a piece of it to be included instead of excluded."

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Janes said the first Mi'kmaq bandin the area, which also happened to be called Qalipu, was established in Burgeo in the early 1980s.

He saidthe group was dissolved because at that time the Federation of Newfoundland Indians was getting closer to forming what's known today as the larger Qalipuband.

Members of the Burgeo band are currently considered non-status Indians, but Janes says they have plans to eventually seek statusunder Canada's Indian Act.

"We are moving forward in that direction, but it's going to take some time," he said."We're just getting our feet wet right now and we're just learning the ropes, really."

Personal frustrations

Janesrecently returned home to Burgeoafter 22 years with theCanadian Armed Forces. He was granted status as a member of the QalipuMi'kmaqband more than nine years ago, but recently found out he is one of the thousands of people set to lose status.

Myself, and myson and daughterwill lose status, while my brothers and sisters keep theirs.- Greg Janes

"I was posted in Nova Scotia at the time the supplemental agreement came around," said Janes, adding he sentin proof of land ownership, along with copies of his moose and fishing license.

"Because of my service, it means myself, and my son and daughter, will lose status, while my brothers and sisters keep theirs."

Janes said he doesn't think it makes sense to be penalized for having lived away in order to serve his country.

"Kangaroo Court"

Janessaid the Qalipu"enrolment" process would be more aptly named the "rejection" process, saying that it's disheartening to see so many people unfairly losing their status.

"It's nothing but a kangaroo court," said Janes."The rejection process will see more than ten thousand people rejected. That's beyond belief that the federal government, and Qalipu, can conduct themselves this way."

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Janes said the BurgeoBand of Indians will establish its membership based on proof of family lineage and is anticipating more than 1000 members to join in the coming months.