Negotiate Collectively – Benefit Locally
Developing a Regional Negotiations Framework for Matawa First Nations

Request for Proposal (RFP)

BACKGROUND
Matawa First Nations is a Tribal Council of nine Northern Ontario First Nations located in
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN). The people of Matawa First Nations believe in putting
community needs first. They are committed to supporting each other and working together as a
regional group in order to build community strength for the future.

Matawa First Nations are currently organizing collectively to address the opportunities and
impacts associated with mineral developments in an area known as the Ring of Fire in
Northwestern Ontario. The area is subject to an explosion of mineral exploration and the
anticipated development of new mines and related infrastructure (power, transportation,
processing etc.).

The ongoing exploration and proposed developments in the Ring of Fire are located within the
traditional territories of a number of individual First Nations organized under the Matawa Tribal
Council. The Tribal Council is currently in the process of developing a regional/collective
approach to negotiations and has identified the following issues that need to be addressed
before finalizing and supporting a regional negotiations strategy:

 The majority of Matawa Chiefs have acknowledged that negotiating as a “collective” can
produce better results and benefits than if individual communities were to negotiate
separate agreements with government and industry.

 However, there are concerns that each community, specifically those closer to proposed
developments, will either lose their autonomy and/or will not “individually” realize the full
scope of benefits associated with the developments.

 Further, there is a lack of clear information available which would outline the internal
mechanics of a collective approach, specifically who will be negotiating, how decisions
will be made and how benefits will be distributed once agreements are finalized and
implemented.

Therefore, although there is support in principle for a collective approach to negotiations,
individual First Nations communities are still “wary” of a collective approach. They are interested
to see what it could look like (i.e. the specific mechanics) and how their specific communities’
interests and needs can be realized via such an approach.


Purpose and Goals
The purpose of this initiative is to outline and create workable mechanisms and processes by
which the Matawa First Nations can collectively negotiate and implement agreements with
government and industry related to mineral developments.

The goals of the project are to:

1. Provide an outline of negotiations frameworks involving multiple First Nations and major
developments that have been implemented successfully elsewhere in Canada (with a
clear outline of common challenges and how they were overcome);

2. Based on the experience, opportunities and challenges facing Matawa First Nations,
outline a number of mechanisms and processes which would ensure that a collective
approach both addresses and adds value to realizing community autonomy, needs and
interests; and,

3. Develop an overall Regional Negotiations Framework for Matawa First Nations clearly
outline how Matawa First Nations can “Negotiate Collectively – Benefit Locally”.

Anticipated Tasks:
1. Assist the Matawa First Nations to draft a Terms of Reference for a Negotiations/Internal
Benefits Sharing Working Group (i.e. who needs to participate, how to structure
meetings etc.);

2. Research and briefly outline case examples elsewhere in Canada where a number of
First Nations have successfully negotiated agreements as a collective. Specific themes
may include internal revenue sharing, policies for preferential treatment to communities
most impacted, delineating community vs collective interests, representation etc.;

3. Meet with regional staff, community staff and community leaders to understand the
specific opportunities and challenges facing Matawa First Nations related to negotiating
agreements with government and industry;

4. Assist the Working Group to formulate a number of scenarios, mechanisms and
processes which will enable Matawa First Nation to successfully negotiate agreements
as a collective; and,

5. Based on feedback from the Working Group and leadership, prepare a Regional
Negotiations Framework for Matawa First Nations.

Timeframes:
The project will commence on March 1, 2011 and will be concluded by May 30, 2011.


Deliverables:
The expected project deliverables are:

1. A Terms of Reference for the Negotiations/Internal Benefits Sharing Working Group;

2. A brief report outlining case examples elsewhere in Canada where a number of First
Nations have successfully negotiated agreements as a collective;

3. A brief report and presentation to the Working Group outlining a number of
scenarios, mechanisms and processes which will enable Matawa First Nation to
successfully negotiate agreements as a collective; and,

4. A Regional Negotiations Framework for Matawa First Nations.


Please submit a detailed proposal outlining:
 Your proposed approach to completing the deliverables as outlined;
 Your qualifications and experience related to the specific tasks associated with this
project (including examples of similar works); and,
 A budget including all fees and expenses associated with completing the project.

Proposals must be submitted (by email) before February 18, 2011 to:

David Paul Achneepineskum
CEO, Matawa First Nations Management
davidpaul@matawa.on.ca

NOTE – Please do not contact the Matawa Tribal Council to follow up with your submission. The
Tribal Council will directly contact you if they have an interest in your services.