It's a historic time for Qalipu First Nation. For the first time, the Indigenous band has a woman carrying out the responsibilities of chief. Jenny Brake was selected on the weekend as acting chief of Qalipu. The position was left vacant when Brendan Mitchell became regional chief for Newfoundland with the Assembly of First Nations. It's less than a year until the next Qalipu band council elections, so an election is not required. Brake has been the Western vice-chief since the fall of 2021, and the band council chose her to be the acting chief.