Sector-Specific Standards Development – Lands and Waters/Environmental Data

The contract seeks the development of ethical data governance standards and implementation materials specifically for environmental, ecological, and territorial data collected on or by First Nations lands, with an emphasis on culturally grounded stewardship and monitoring frameworks. These standards must ensure that data collection, storage, use, and sharing respect Indigenous sovereignty, traditional knowledge systems, and community-led decision-making, while aligning with broader Canadian data governance principles. The work involves creating practical tools and guidelines that enable First Nations communities to retain control over their data and define how it is accessed, utilized, and protected in ways that uphold their rights and priorities. The contract is issued as a subcontract under the Standards Council of Canada, with the North American Industry Classification System code 541620 reflecting its focus on management, scientific, and technical consulting services. The solicitation was posted on May 27, 2026, with responses due by June 12, 2026, and the place of performance is across Canada, indicating that the project will engage with multiple First Nations communities nationwide. The initiative is part of a broader federal effort to advance ethical and inclusive data practices in environmental monitoring, and the successful proposer will need to demonstrate deep understanding of Indigenous data sovereignty, experience in co-developing governance models with Indigenous partners, and the ability to produce clear, actionable, and culturally appropriate implementation materials.