Cultural Heritage and Traditional Knowledge Integration

The contract seeks to integrate Innu traditional knowledge and cultural protocols into all phases of archaeological work, ensuring that research, field activities, and reporting align with Indigenous values, practices, and governance. This subcontract requires collaboration with Innu communities to co-develop methodologies that respect spiritual, historical, and territorial protocols, with the goal of producing culturally appropriate archaeological documentation that reflects Innu perspectives and sovereignty over their ancestral lands. The work will be conducted primarily in Quebec, excluding the National Capital Region, and must adhere to standards that prioritize community-led oversight and ethical engagement. The Government of Canada, through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, is issuing this subcontract under NAICS code 926110, with a submission deadline of July 21, 2026. Applicants must demonstrate proven experience in working with Indigenous communities, particularly the Innu, and possess a clear understanding of how to embed traditional knowledge into scientific processes without extractive or appropriative practices. All activities must be designed in partnership with Innu stakeholders, ensuring that cultural heritage is protected, interpreted, and communicated in ways that affirm Indigenous rights and self-determination. There is no set-aside designation specified, but the nature of the work requires sensitivity to the unique legal and cultural context of the Innu Nation.