Residential Schools Monument - Request for Qualifications

The Request for Qualifications closes on October 17. You can find the full Request for Qualifications and submission requirements here Event Details

Overview

To help address the legacy of residential schools in Canada and advance the process of reconciliation the Government of the Northwest Territories has been working to address the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action including the installation of a Residential Schools monument. 

Project Purpose

This project aims to design, create, and install a territorial monument within the capital city of the Northwest Territories, in collaboration with residential school Survivors and other parties to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA). The monument will fulfill the GNWT's commitment to Call to Action #82 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
The Government of the Northwest Territories is committed to a Survivor-led process for the Residential Schools Monument. Survivors and intergenerational survivors are involved in all phases of this project and will take the lead in determining which artist(s) and monument design will be chosen.

Artist Selection Process

The GNWT is inviting Northwest Territories and Nunavut Indigenous artists or NWT and Nunavut Indigenous artist-led teams to submit responses indicating their interest in and qualifications for the NWT Residential Schools monument project.
Based on these submissions, up to three proponents will be chosen to participate in the next step of a competitive design process —the Request for Proposal stage. Selection for participation will be made in accordance with the terms outlined in this Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

Through the Request for Proposal stage the GNWT will work with the selected artists or artist-led team to identify and provide necessary technical and professional support. 

Artists may wish to identify collaborators such as landscape designers, structural engineers, architects and others who may support the monument development as part of their response. However there is no requirement to do so. 

Interested Artists Next Steps:

  • Register as a Bidder on the GNWT contracts website, to access information 
  • Review the full package of project information and requirements
  • Attend the optional information session
  • Fill in the response template provided, which asks for:
    • A brief profile of the artist, and/or team including any available photos of previous or current work if available
    • The vision for the monument and how it will reflect and honour Indigenous perspectives and lived and living experience
    • How the vision for the monument will help address the legacy of residential schools in Canada and advance the process of reconciliation
    • Other information that is important for the RFQ

Notes: 

  • No drawings or schematics are required at this time, but are welcome if available
  • The monument site is in Sambaa K’e Park beside the City Hall in Yellowknife and a map is included in the RFQ 

Who Can Apply?

We'll hold a virtual meeting on October 1st, 2025 to go over the documents and answer your questions. If you are interested in coming to that meeting, please email Katherine_Robinson@gov.nt.ca for more information. This meeting is a session for artists and not open to media attendance or public participation

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

Visit the Contract Event Opportunities webpage. 

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 Extension 32118.

You can find the full Request for Qualifications and submission requirements here. 

Contact

For more information or to submit your proposal, please contact:

Residential School Monument – RFQ 
Procurement Shared Services
PSSTenders@gov.nt.ca
(867) 767-9044 Extension 32118

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

Mental Health Support

The themes and topics surrounding this Project are emotionally challenging, and for many, to extremely personal degrees. This project involves deeply sensitive and traumatic historical and ongoing realities, from the harm inflicted by the Indian Residential School system on Indigenous communities. It requires understanding, empathy, and a commitment to respecting survivors and their descendants. Should you need support through your involvement of this project, please reach out for help. Some supports available include:

  • The National Indian Residential School Crisis Line provides 24-hour crisis support to former Indian Residential School students and their families toll-free at 1-866-925-4419.
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis seeking immediate emotional support can contact the Hope for Wellness Help Line toll-free at 1-855-242-3310, or by online chat at hopeforwellness.ca.

(for questions/assistance related to this Request for Qualifications, how to submit documents, etc., you can contact the Procurement Shared Services office – contact information in Article 4.25)