The Beothuk are the Indigenous people of Newfoundland. They were Algonkian-speaking hunter-gatherers who probably numbered less than a thousand people at the time of European contact. The Beothuk people did not survive the colonial encounter. The Qualipu First Nation is a Mi'kmaq First Nations as defined under the Indian Act. It represents the Mi'kmaq peoples of Newfoundland and Labrador. Without any territory, other Mi'kmaq groups have questioned the legitimacy of the Qualipu as a First Nations group. The Mi'kmaq people originate in what is known as Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunsick. Across history the Mi'kmaq have travelled to Newfoundland to hunt. Since Newfoundland joined confederation in 1949, the Mi'kmaq have lived alongside Newfoundland settlers without formal recognition. The Federation of Newfoundland Indians was formed in 1973 in order to secure recognition for Newfoundland's Mi'kmaq population. This included the Innu and Inuit in Labrador. In 1987, the Miawpukek Mi'kmaq First Nation was recognized under the Indian Act and their community of Conne River became reserved land for the Mi'kmaq. The Native Association of Newfoundland and Labrador formed in 1972 as the main organization representing the Mi'kmaq, Innu and Inuit of Newfoundland and Labrador. Later, in 1975 the Labrador Innu and Inuit left the Association and the organization was renamed the Federation of Newfoundland Indians. The FNI included six Mi'kmaq bands (Elmastogoeg First Nations, Corner Brook Indian Band, Flat Bay Indian Band, Gander Bay Indian Band, Glenwood Mi'kmaq First Nation and the Port au Port Indian Band). The provincial government supported the FNI.[11] The federal only supported the claim made by the Mi'kmaq at Conne River.
1990-2000