The Chiefs of Ontario are seeking submissions for a request for proposals for Off-Reserve First Nation Representative Services Delivery Pathway.

The work being requested is to use the research expertise of the candidate to create a pathway to ensure First Nation Representative Services cover funding for off-reserve First Nation children and families, provide analysis for First Nations unaffiliated with child welfare agencies, and provide analysis for post-majority support services initiatives. This includes emphasizing the value and importance of off-reserve First Nation Representative Services (FNRS), analyzing the existing off-reserve FNRS landscape within Ontario, and the significance of off-reserve FNRS in the lives of children and youth within the welfare system. Finally, it includes analyzing the existing funding, policy, and legal schemes to ensure that First Nation off-reserve services can be delivered by First Nations and generating strategic recommendations and priorities to develop the pathway to this service delivery. The proposal requires your team to provide a project proposal that is in line with First Nations values and knowledge systems, provide recommendations to strengthen off-reserve FNRS by ensuring First Nations can deliver the service, and identifying any policy gaps related to off-reserve FNRS jurisdiction and funding differences.

Please note that the deadline to submit is December 18, 2025, AT 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Proposals must clearly demonstrate the consultant’s capacity to fulfill all the responsibilities and key objectives as outlined in this Request for Proposals (“RFP”). This includes proven experience in:

• Knowledge of and experience related to social impact investing or a combined financial, policy, and legal research expertise, including demonstrated ability to establish productive relationships with various First Nation data stakeholders, experts, and leadership;
• Knowledge of and demonstrated understanding of working with First Nation communities, First Nation culture, with a preference for knowledge in the concept and effects of ‘remoteness’ and ‘high-population’;
• Knowledge of and missions for improving the wellbeing of First Nations children and youth, including previous experience in working on First Nation child and youth outcomes informed by data and through generating data informed evidence to drive improved wellbeing for First Nations children, youth, and families;
• maintaining and managing high levels of confidential communication;
• analyzing and interpreting data with a proficiency for both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and Indigenous methodologies; and
• producing high-quality analytical reports (including recommendations) to inform program/project monitoring and evaluation.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

In February 2025, COO, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Canada had entered into the Agreement Respecting Funding for First Nation Representative Services Off-Reserve in Ontario, which outlined the following:

• COO, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Canada recognize the value and importance of First Nation Representative Services.
• Canada is of the view that funding FNRS off-reserve in Ontario is the responsibility of the Government of Ontario.
• COO, Nishnawbe Aski Nation and Canada shall approach the Government of Ontario together to seek provincial funding for First Nation Representative Services off-reserve and will use the opportunity of discussions on reforming the 1965 Agreement to raise First Nation Representative Services funding as a significant priority.
• In order to provide time for negotiations with the Government of Ontario and outside of the FNCFS Program, Canada shall fund First Nations in Ontario at their actual costs for the provision of First Nation Representative Services to First Nations children and families residing off-reserve until March 31, 2027.

The Research Study should be guided by these notions and present key evidence to support this agreement.

Download the full RFP and submission details here.