RFP - the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg

KITIGAN ZIBI ANISHINABEG
P.O. Box 309, Maniwaki, QC J9E 3C9 Tel: (819) 449-5170 Fax: (819) 449-5673
KITIGAN ZIBI ANISHINABEG
Request for Proposal (RFP)
RFP PROJECT: Feasibility Study on First Nations Tourism located on
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.
Company Background
The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg is a First Nations community situated beside the Municipality of
Maniwaki Quebec and approximately 130 kilometers north of Gatineau/Ottawa on highway 105.
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg community was established in 1853 and is the largest of the ten
Algonquin communities in Canada. Our community’s reserve covers 18,437.7 hectares of land
with 22 freshwater lakes.
The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg governance system consists of 1 Chief and 6 councilors. The Band
Council is responsible for the overall implementation of programs/services as well as being
responsible to protect the rights of its membership within its traditional territory. Kitigan Zibi
means “Garden River” in the Algonquin language.
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg wants to develop a plan for authentic First Nations Tourism activities
and cultural experiences within our Algonquin Lands and focusing primarily on the areas: (1)
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg’s addition to the reserve (northern most part of Eagle Forest area) and
(2) Kitigan Zibi Cultural Centre.
Eagle Forest borders the western edge of the Kitigan Zibi reserve which was always considered
part of our traditional lands. The AANDC has recently approved in principal the addition to our
reserve which will include the northern area of the Eagle Forest representing 24sq.kms. At this
point in time an Environmental Study and Land Survey component has already been completed
for the Eagle Forest addition to our reserve.
Project Description
The Kitigan Zibi Chief and Council are seeking bids to carry out a feasibility study on First
Nations Tourism located on Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Developing opportunities for Anishinabe
Cultural Tourism is a sustainable way for our community to build our economy while preserving
our traditional culture.
A feasibility study will help the KZA to determine the viability of a community owned Cultural
Tourism business and estimate the financial, human and technical resources that will be needed
to ensure the successful launching of this type of venture.
Design Requirements
Potential activities for Kitigan Zibi Tourism
The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabe can designate the Eagle Forest addition to our reserve as a potential
site for tourism activities such as wilderness camping, cultural workshops (ie. craft making, and
traditional foods), presentations on the history of Anishinabe in this region, cultural
demonstrations, storytelling, cultural exhibitions, nature based excursions (walking trail tours,
plant identification and traditional uses), and guided tours of local heritage attractions. Special
amenities can also be included for group accommodation packages for wilderness camping:
traditional food catering, cedar baths, participation in new moon or water ceremonies, native
drumming and singing, dance performances and native legends theatre entertainment.
Tourism Model Constraints: Tourism model concepts provided for the RFP will need to
concentrate on site facilities that are non-permanent structures or shelters. The potential site areas
within the northern part of Eagle Forest are remote forested areas with no access to running
water and no electrical power lines.
The section for the Awazibi feasibility study of the report should include the four
components (1) First Nations Tourism Business Model, (2) Marketing Plan (3) Technical
requirements and (4) Financial Projections as defined in the RFP:
1. First Nations Tourism Business Model: The study will examine the viability of
Algonquin/Anishinabe Cultural Tourism activities for the Kitigan Zibi with a priority focus
on the northern most part of Eagle Forest as well as other parts of the Algonquin
Anishinabeg Territory. This section of the feasibility study will :
 Evaluate possible cultural tourism concepts that can be employed within
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.
 Evaluate potential cultural tourism site locations, suitability and
accessibility.
 Identify niche services or unique experiences that can be incorporated into
a concept for cultural tourism to set us apart from the competition.
 Present realistic expectations about the level of quality that will need to be
achieved in order to be successful within the Aboriginal Tourism Industry.
(Include key regulatory issues regarding compliance.)
 Provide an inventory of natural resources within our territory that can be
utilized for the tourism business concept.
 Identify ways to enhance the appeal of Kitigan Zibi reserve as a tourism
destination and highlight key attractions within the surrounding region that
can be complementary to our tourism concept model.
2



Propose possible partnership opportunities that KZA can capitalize on
within the tourism industry.
Identify a secondary component for tourism opportunities that can be
employed at Victoria Island and Lac Dumont sites in the future.
Propose partnership opportunities that can be taken advantage of with
events surrounding Canada’s 150th birthday celebration in 2017. The event
will provide a memorable opportunity to showcase the importance of the
First Nations heritage and culture.
2. Marketing Plan: Develop a Marketing Plan for potential First Nation Tourism activities
for Kitigan Zibi. The marketing plan should include strategies that will attract potential
visitors from Canada, US and international markets. It will also identify ways to partner
with sales people within the travel industry and other tourism sales distribution channels.
This section of the feasibility study must include :
 Economic outlook
 Estimate the market potential for Kitigan Zibi tourism and our market
share on a regional, national and international level.
 Define and describe the target markets & market demographics.
 Analysis of the Competition & SWOT
 Propose concrete ways to address barriers to entry into the tourism market
 Marketing & Sales Strategy
 Sales Distribution Channels
 Pricing Strategy
 Sales Projections
3. Technical Requirements – Determine the technical requirements of the tourism concept
by examining the costs of site development, the capital equipment and facilities required as
well as the overall operational requirements. The tourism concept should concentrate
mainly on non-permanent structures or shelters.
This section of the feasibility study must include :
 Site Concept Design
 Capital Costs: Facilities and Equipment Required
 Material, Labour and Transportation costs
 Operating Expenses
 Total Investment required for the tourism business concept
3
4. Financial Projections – Provide financial projections to determine the profitability of the
tourism business model and an analysis dealing with for the entire project’s viability. This
section will be essential determining whether the Chief and Council will move forward
with the tourism model. This section of the feasibility study must include:
 Pricing of products and services
 Projected Sales Revenue
 Cash flow projections / Profit and Loss Statement
 Break Even Analysis
 Analysis of entire project viability
 Calculate the Return on Investment
RFP Mandatory Requirement
Bidders shall provide the following information to submit their application:
A profile of their firm outlining their company history.
Contact information, including mailing and email address
A complete listing of all key personnel and total number of employees, including
subcontractors, who will be assigned to this project. This will include their relevant
experience and qualifications and their roles and responsibilities in the project.
Project Leader must have professional experience in carrying out at least 1 Aboriginal
Tourism Feasibility Study for a client.
A Project Workplan for the feasibility study
Price quote (fee schedule for the work)
Proposals shall include a list of three references including names, position, telephone
numbers and E-mail addresses for which the Bidder has performed similar work. These
references might be contacted during the proposal evaluation phase to determine their
satisfaction with the work carried out.
Preference will be given to a Kitigan Zibi business / consultant who can demonstrate that
they have met all the mandatory requirements and have the professional experience to
carry out the work.
Functional Requirements
The candidate should demonstrate within the bid proposal that they have met all of the
Mandatory Requirements or their proposal will be screened out of the evaluation process.
The candidate should have a thorough knowledge of financial accounting and business
management practices to be able to provide the financial projections.
4
Project Duration
The work for this project shall commence on March 30, 2015 and be completed by no later than
August 21, 2015.
Deliverable
The following shall be required:
Finalized project workplan required within 5 days of the awarded contract.
Mid-point draft report during the 10th week of the project (due June 5, 2015)
Final report to be presented by the contractor to Chief and Council on August 21, 2015 or next
available date. The contractor will provide 1 electronic copy (PDF) and 15 printed and bound
copies of the report.
Closing date for submissions
All project submissions for this RFP must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday
March 16, 2015. Late proposals will not be accepted.
The Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Band council shall review all RFP submissions to ensure that all
required information is provided. The Band Council does not commit to necessarily accepting
the lowest bid for this project. Preference will be given to a Kitigan Zibi business / consultant
who can demonstrate that they have met all the mandatory requirements and have the
professional experience to carry out the work.
All candidates must send their RFP
submissions to:
All questions concerning this RFP proposal
shall be directed to:
Anita Stevens
KZA Economic Development Agent
P.O. Box 309
Maniwaki, Quebec
J9E 3C9
Tel: 819-449-5170
Email: anita.stevens@kza.qc.ca
Chief Gilbert W. Whiteduck
Tel: 819-449-5170
Email: gwhiteduck@hotmail.com
5
Over the span of one month, I had the opportunity to spend time with nine of the most talented young ladies from Kitigan Zibi.
I’ve also had the chance to make new friendships and reconnect old ones. Together the girls and I have made memories that I
will always cherish and never forget. They are all bright, talented, and enthusiastic girls and I have no doubt in my mind that
they will all go far in life. I’d like to once again thank Anishinabe Printing for sponsoring me. I’d like to thank Hunter Dewache for
being such a supportive escort. A special thank you to all the organizers and everyone else who made the pageant possible. You
all did an amazing job! Looking forward to seeing you all at the pow wow!
Sincerely,
Hailey Ottawa,
Miss Abita Pibon 2015
Kwey Kitigan Zibi! First, to KZ Gaz, I'd like to * British accent* “fank you” for sponsoring me and giving me the chance to
participate in the Miss Abita Pibon 2015 pageant because it gave me a second chance to prove myself a leader in our community
and I *Indian accent* “TOTALLY” appreciate it! Being a part of this year’s pageant gave me a chance to be a part of the community and make new friends that I’d REALLY like to keep!
Thank you to the Miss Abita Pibon Committee for your support, your help with all of the girls really shows the talent we have in
the community! I’d also like to thank my family for all of their help preparing—without you guys, I couldn’t have done it!
Migwetch,
Kegona Brazeau, Miss Ogimakwens 2015 (1st Runner up)
I’d like to thank the community and all of the sponsors of the pageant for having this event. I’d also like to thank Winona Tenasco
and her team of volunteers for all of their guidance, help and support. I want to thank my mom and dad, my grandma and
grandpa, and, my aunt Stephanie, my aunt Penny, and my aunt Terri for helping me with preparing for the pageant. I’d like to
thank my sisters Drew and Sienna for all of their help too!
I had a lot of fun at all of the activities. I liked making the hand drums with Pinock and I had fun tubing. I also really enjoyed
making new friends and reconnecting with old friends. I especially want to thank Russ’ Busses for sponsoring me. The pageant is
so awesome and I really enjoyed my experience.
Migwetch,
Jennifer Tenasco, Miss Ogimakwens 2015 (2nd Runner Up)
Superhero & Princess
Tiny Tots Dance!
**FOR CHILDREN 6 AND UNDER**
WHEN? Friday March 20, 2015
TIME? 6:00pm – 8:00pm
WHERE? KZ School Gym
$2.00 Entry fee per child
Small canteen available
**CHILD(REN) MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT**
Proceeds will go to the cost of the activity
Event hosted by Parents
For more information contact
Leighann Cote at 819 441 4517
REMINDER
Frank Meness
IT’S TAX TIME AGAIN!
DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR TAXES - DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2015
Dear Band Members:
This is to advise you that I do taxes online (EFile & NetFile) and
other form filing (Old Age Security, QPP, CPP, USA Benefits,
Birth Certificates, Passports, etc.). Very reasonable rates.
You can drop them off at my house/mailbox anytime at:
172 Kichi Mikan
Meegwetch
Frank Meness, M.A., J.D.
Barrister & Solicitor
Frank Meness
172 Kichi Mikan
Maniwaki, QC
J9E 3B1
819-449-4959-Home
819-306-1059-Work
819-930-3959-Cell
fmeness@gmail.com
Bingo will start on March 11th, 2015
All proceeds will go to the KZ Youth participating in the 26th Annual Pikogan Minor Hockey &
Broomball Tournament on April 2-5, 2015 for travel and accommodation fees.
(the youths’ parents who are actually selling cards)
The prize will be a ½ & ½ !!
- Request on facebook our wall: KZ Broomball –
Fundraiser
- Contact Angela Decontie at 449-9683
- Or call CKWE 449-5098
- Contact any of the participating parents of
KZBB,
KZ Young Bucks (Pee Wee Hockey) or
parents of
KZ members playing as imports
and possibility of more vendors to be announced.
Cost of card is $2 – just a Twoonie !! There is no cut-off date for the sale of cards. Cards can be
attained as follows.
Play from the comfort of your own home!!
Bonanza/Facebook bingo is Back !!
Migwetch for all your support!!!!
Numbers will be announced and left up on the facebook page, KZ Broomball – Fundraiser,
each night (except Sunday’s) as well as on CKWE radio 103.9 FM.
Once you have a full card, you can call at 819-441-3093 or leave a message on the wall. All
bingos (full card) will be accepted (and split if necessary) until the next time numbers are
posted on facebook at 6pm.