Careers

RFP: Traditional Birthing Lodge Feasibility Study

Due: December 12, 2025

1.0 BACKGROUND

Treaty #3 Mandate:

Protecting the future of our people by ensuring the protection, preservation, and enhancement of Inherent and Treaty rights.

This is achieved by advancing the exercise of:

• Inherent jurisdiction
• Sovereignty
• Nation-building and;
• Traditional Governance
• With the aim to preserve and build the Anishinaabe Nation’s goal of self-determination.

We accomplish these goals with Treaty/territory wide approaches in cooperation with communities, Tribal Councils and organizations who work with the Anishinaabe in Treaty #3.

Within the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 our technical staff:

• Employ strategic approaches.
• Develop capacity building plans to match self-government priorities.
• Link political direction and programs through policy development and law making for a national system.
• Propose implementation options for the realization of a National Vision.
• Promote new ways of doing business.
• Provide policy and administrative support to the network of programs and services that operate in the Anishinaabe Nation.
• Promote efficient, effective, transparent, and accountable Anishinaabe services.
• Identify gaps and work to reduce gaps and overlap.
• Act as a Secretariat to the National Assembly and Grand Council.
• Provide administrative support to Chiefs committees.

2.0 OUTLINE OF SERVICES

We are seeking proposals from qualified and experienced consultants to conduct a Traditional Birthing Lodge Feasibility Study. This study will assess the current maternal health care situation, identify gaps in services, and provide recommendations for next steps to maximize safety, accessibility, and cultural integrity for a Traditional Birthing Lodge (or lodges) in Treaty #3.

The assessment will engage regional health organizations, communities, maternal care providers, midwives, Elders, and leadership to collect and analyze data on maternal health outcomes, service availability, and barriers to culturally safe birthing practices. The goal is to create an informed and coordinated approach to establishing a Traditional Birthing Lodge in Treaty #3.

Scope of Work:

The Traditional Birthing Lodge Mapping and Needs Assessment will include:

• Review of Existing Data – Analyze existing data on maternal health outcomes and services within Treaty #3 communities. Identify strengths, gaps, and weaknesses in current maternal care.
• Community Engagement – Consult with communities, maternal care providers, midwives, Elders, leadership, and key partners. Gather insights into experiences with maternal care, traditional birthing practices, and barriers to access.
• Need Assessment – Identify successes, needs, and gaps in maternal health services. Assess opportunities for integrating traditional birthing practices with existing health systems.
• Mapping of Service and Resources – Map existing maternal health services and resources available in Treaty #3 communities. Highlight innovative and wise practices, gaps in service, and current collaborations/partnerships.
• Documentation – Produce a comprehensive report summarizing findings. Highlight key successes, innovative practices, and recommendations for enhancing maternal care and developing Traditional Birthing Lodge(s).

Expected Deliverables:

• Comprehensive Report: Maternal Care Mapping and Needs Assessment, including findings and recommendations.
• Presentation: Delivery of findings to communities, regional health organizations, and leadership.

Timeline:

The project is expected to commence on January 7, 2026, and the final report & presentation to be completed by February 26th, 2026.

3.0 FEES FOR SERVICE

Proponents shall propose hourly, daily, block and/or fixed fees as they deem appropriate.

4.0 CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Firms/consultants submitting bid packages should be sensitive to the potential for conflicts of interest that may prevent their retention by Grand Council Treaty #3. All potential conflicts must be disclosed in any bid package. Whether a conflict of interest is sufficient to prevent retention of a proponent is in the sole discretion of Grand Council Treaty #3.

5.0 REQUIRED CONTENTS OF THE BID PACKAGE

A full bid package is required with the contents set out below:

• Detailed description of methodology for conducting the Mapping and Needs Assessment.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting similar studies in communities.
• Detailed proposed budget.
• Relevant references.

5.0 SELECTION CRITERIA

The evaluation criteria may include, but not be limited to, the following (not in any order of importance):

• Experience working with First Nation communities.
• Understanding of the needs and challenges of Treaty #3 citizens.
• Expertise in maternal health and midwifery (asset).
• Strength and clarity of proposed approach.

All packages submitted with the requirements will be reviewed and evaluated. Grand Council Treaty #3 reserves the right to select a bid based on written material only. Firms responding to this RFP may be requested to provide additional information or address specific requirements not fully explored in their initial submissions. Grand Council Treaty #3 reserves the right to reject any RFP submitted.

 6.0 SUBMISSION INFORMATION

 Firms/Consultants wishing to submit a bid package must prepare a package containing the required materials and send in electronic format on or before December 12, 2025 to:

Autumn McKay

Maternal and Midwifery Policy Analyst

Grand Council Treaty #3

autumn.mckay@treaty3.ca

For questions or clarifications, please contact us via email. Miigwech/Thank you for your interest in this important project. We look forward to reviewing your proposal and working together to strengthen maternal health and wellness in Treaty #3 communities.

RFP – PDF – Traditional Birthing Lodge Feasibility Study