Residential Schools Monument – Call for Expressions of Interest

You can find the full Expression of Interest and submission requirements here.

Overview

In response to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #82, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is commissioning a publicly accessible, highly visible Residential Schools monument in the capital city of the NWT.

The monument project is a Survivor and intergenerational Survivor led initiative representing a unique collaboration with the Government of the Northwest Territories to help support reconciliation and healing.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking expressions of interest from Northwest Territories and Nunavut Indigenous artists and Indigenous artist-led groups interested in creating a monument to honor Residential School Survivors, those who did not come home, and those experiencing intergenerational trauma.

This is strictly a non-binding, information-gathering process. We are not awarding any contracts through this Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) and no pricing information is required. The purpose is to assess interest and capacity, and to gather information that will inform future competitive procurement processes.

Next Steps:

Important: No commitments or contracts will result directly from this RFEI. This is the first step in a multi-stage procurement process.

If subsequent competitive procurement opportunities are issued, the GNWT will endeavor to advise all artists and others that responded to this RFEI. However, all respondents are also advised to monitor the GNWT Contract Event Opportunities website, where all public procurement opportunities are posted. https://contracts.fin.gov.nt.ca/

Expression of Interest Now Open

The GNWT is seeking Expressions of Interest from:

Indigenous artists or artist-led groups/collectives from the Northwest Territories or Nunavut
Collaborators such as landscape designers, structural engineers, architects, and others who may support monument development
This is an opportunity to participate in the conceptual development of a landmark monument by providing:
A brief profile of the artist, and/or team
A statement identifying the artist or group’s medium including but not limited to visual arts (painting, sculpture, etc.) auditory arts (sound design, music etc.), digital arts and mixed media
Indication of how the individual or group meets the Indigenous artist or Indigenous artist-led, requirement
Motivation behind the artist or group’s desire to be involved in development of the monument about the legacy of residential schools, including the monument’s ability to contribute to ongoing healing.
Any other information that is considered important to the nature of this RFEI.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must be:

Indigenous artists or Indigenous artist-led teams from the NWT or Nunavut
Interested in designing a monument that reflects and honours Indigenous perspectives and lived and living experience

Experience in public art, community-led creative processes, or cultural design is considered helpful but is not a requirement.

How to Apply

You are welcome to email or call Procurement Shared Services directly if you want help registering so you can download the document. You can contact them at:
PSSTenders@gov.nt.ca or (867) 767-9044.