Application Deadline: Friday, November 20
Project Completion Deadline: June 2027
The City of Regina acknowledges that we are on the traditional lands of the Treaty 4 Territory, a Treaty signed with 35 First Nations across Southern Saskatchewan and parts of Alberta and Manitoba, and the original lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota and the homeland of the Métis.
The City of Regina owes its strength and vibrancy to these lands and the diverse Indigenous Peoples whose ancestors’ footsteps have marked this territory, as well as settlers from around the world who continue to be welcomed here and call Regina home.
Opportunity
The Knowledge Collective was established to create educational resources that share Indigenous truths, histories, and knowledge related to the Mihko Achokos Iskwêw (Red Star Woman) project. Grounded in local perspectives and Indigenous ways of knowing, the resources will support learning, reflection, and community connection.
To advance this work, the Knowledge Collective invites qualified Indigenous contractors, teams of historians, educators, journalists and/or writers to submit proposals for the creation of educational resources for the site. The successful proposal will outline learning materials in alignment with the Regina Public School Board and Saskatchewan curriculum outcomes and standards.
Project Background
Mihko Achokos Iskwêw (Red Star Woman) project is a community-led initiative in Regina, Saskatchewan, developed in response to the 2019 release of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Final Report and the 231 Calls for Justice. Spearheaded by the Indigenous Community and supported by Reconciliation Regina in partnership with the City of Regina, the project began with trauma-informed community consultations, engaging survivors and families affected by MMIWG2S+. Refined by a panel of more than 12 Elders/knowledge keepers, these consultations led to the formation of the project vision and three guiding themes. The project vision is to “provide a platform for voices to share truth and create a space to acknowledge the injustices perpetrated against MMIWG2S+ people and their families, the burden of these human and Indigenous rights violations and how they impact Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+.”
The guiding themes are:
• Commemorate: Honour and remember MMIWG2S+ lives.
• Educate: Share truths and knowledge with the broader community.
• Activate: Inspire action and provide a platform for underrepresented voices.
The commemorative site is located in Māmowimīwēyitamōwin Park (named by Alice Pahtayken), a newly renovated, accessible public space named in Cree to reflect its meaning: “gathering of happiness and joy.” The site was chosen for its relationship to the Buffalo Effigy (Joely BigEagle-Kequahtooway and Lorne Kequahtooway, 2022), visibility, accessibility and existing infrastructure that supports year-round community use, and construction will be completed by Winter 2027.
The site’s design (Appendix A) was completed by David Garneau, Tracy Desjarlais, Jason Surkan and Felicia Gay. The space was designed as a place for reflection, learning, and community gathering, incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing through land-based design. The site incorporates the four sacred elements of air, fire, water and earth throughout its design. A ceremonial fire pit forms the heart of the space, while a natural rain garden represents water, and gently sloping berms that feature native plants strengthen the site’s connection to the earth.
The thirteen phases of the moon are represented by thirteen boulders placed throughout the site. Six boulders encircle the central fire pit, while seven surround the perimeter. These seven boulders reflect the seven Grandfather teachings and are symbolically embracing the site. A defining feature of the site is the Corten steel retaining wall designed by local Indigenous artist Brianna LaPlante. Her artwork explores themes of connection to the land, spirit, family, and the life journey of women, adding both beauty and cultural meaning to the space.
Designed to highlight Indigenous culture, the site will serve as a place for gathering, reflection, learning, and ceremony. Interpretive signage and digital educational resources will complement the physical space, helping visitors deepen their understanding of the stories, teachings, and knowledge that inspired its creation.
Scope of Work
• K-12 Curriculum-Aligned Educational Resources
o Sections of grades K-2, 3-7 and 8-12, with a focus on grades 8-12 as
▪ Additional accessible teaching resources for pre- and post-lesson plans
- Ie. Books, Videos, podcasts, etc.
▪ Guides that prompt discussion and reflection
• Community Learning Resources
o Family and Visitor Guides
Note: Educational content should acknowledge the legacy of Treaty 4 and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Final Report and the 231 Calls for Justice.
Project Information
• The proposed budget for this project is $60,000 (all-inclusive), which will cover all costs associated with the project, including contractor fees, digital integration, design and translation.
• The project will run from November 2026 through April 2027
• Delivery date for this project is April 2027, with a content pilot to follow, with finalized content by June 2027.
• The City of Regina will develop the website URL that will host digital content and educational resources.
• The selected contractor will be required to liaise with the Regina Public School Board, with support from the City of Regina and the Knowledge Collective to ensure curriculum alignment.
Eligibility:
This opportunity is open to First Nations, Métis or Inuit historians, writers, journalists and/or educators. Preference will be given to those who have connections to Treaty 4 First Nation(s) or with the Métis Settlements & Métis Nation Regions within Treaty 4 territory.
Proposal Deliverables
All proposals shall include the following:
1. A Statement of Intent
2. Proposed Project plan
3. CV/Resume
Statement of Intent:
• Not exceeding a total of 5 pages, statements of intent should include the following information:
o Biographical notes which include your connections and relationship to Regina and Treaty 4 Territory.
Project Proposal:
• Provide an outline of how the sections of the content will be shown on the website.
o Both the curriculum-aligned teacher resources and family/visitor sections.
o What different media and tools will be used to guide learning and discussion.
• Describe how the content will engage children, families and visitors according to the project’s stated vision and themes.
• Provide a detailed project budget.
Note: We encourage all applicants to think creatively when developing their plan and welcome additional ideas that promote learning and understanding.
CV
• Include two professional references.
• Relevant accomplishments and experiences with similar projects.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience with MMIWG2S+ projects and initiatives.
• Demonstrate connections to community, ceremony and lived experience.
• Demonstrate methodology that centers Indigenous ways of knowing.
• Demonstrate experience in developing education programs for a wide audience.
Note: Submissions should not exceed 8 pages
Proposals shall not:
• Include elements that feature advertisements or promotions for commercial businesses or products.
• Include elements that are discriminatory or include profanity or otherwise offensive content.
• Include elements that breach intellectual property or trademarks.
Selection Process
The project Knowledge Collective is responsible for the educational components of the commemoration site and will award the final contract.
Once chosen, the contractor will be responsible for delivering their respective work in line with the project deadlines. The successful applicant will be required to participate in ongoing engagement with the project Elders and Knowledge Collective as required for guidance and feedback.
Application Submission
Applications should be submitted via e-mail to culture@regina.ca
Deadline for proposal submissions: Wednesday, October 14 at 4:00 p.m. CST. Late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted.
For more information or questions, please contact Marah Mattison at culture@regina.ca.