Request for Proposals: Indigenous Consultant
Department: Executive Office and the Indigenous Advisory Circle
Project Lead: Kate Sheppard, CEO and Registrar
Reference Number: NANB-RFP-2026-01
Summary
NANB is seeking an experienced and skilled Indigenous Consultant to develop and guide our journey toward Indigenous cultural safety.
The consultant will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and Registrar, the Indigenous Advisory Circle within the Nurses Association of New Brunswick (NANB) and the NANB Board of Directors (BOD) to help define the organization’s cultural safety goals, objectives, and strategies for the future. Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), we invite qualified consultants to submit their proposals outlining their approach and strategies for developing and guiding NANB’s cultural safety journey.
Background Information
The NANB recognizes and respectfully acknowledges that the NANB office is located on the unsurrendered and unceded traditional lands of Wolastoqiyik. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship, which the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1725. The treaties did not deal with the surrender of lands and resources but, in fact, recognized Wolastoqey, Mi’kmaq and Passamaquoddy title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.
The NANB is the regulatory body for all registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) in New Brunswick. The purpose of regulation is to protect the public by ensuring RNs and NPs practise in a safe and competent manner.
The NANB BOD approved a Strategic plan for 2024-2028, which focuses on building cultural safety within the organization and for NANB registrants.
Objectives
The primary objectives of this engagement are to:
• Meaningfully collaborate and engage with Indigenous health leaders and Wabanaki communities
• Embed Indigenous cultural safety into the organization’s policies, structures, and processes
• Support NANB to contribute to health system transformations that build RN and NP capacity
• Co-develop an Indigenous cultural safety action plan that aligns with the recommendations of Wabanaki and Indigenous RNs/NPs in NB and NANB's vision, mandate, and values.
Scope of Work
The Consultants’ scope of work shall include, but is not limited to:
• Working closely with the NANB CEO and Registrar, staff, BOD, and Indigenous Advisory Circle to plan and design an Indigenous cultural safety action plan
• Consulting and collaborating with Indigenous health leaders and Wabanaki communities
• Assisting the NANB and Indigenous Advisory Circle in prioritizing strategies and actions
• Documenting, drafting, and formalizing a plan to build Indigenous cultural safety, based on collaboration and alignment with NANB’s mandate and strategic plan.
Project Deliverables and Collaborative Approach
following elements represent an initial framework for discussion and planning. We welcome the proponent’s expertise and invite recommendations for additional or alternative approaches that honour Wabanaki perspectives and ways of knowing.
Proposed Deliverables:
• Engagement with NANB staff and BOD to foster mutual understanding
• Engagement with the Indigenous Advisory Circle to ensure cultural integrity and relevance
• Timeline of engagement with Indigenous health leaders and Wabanaki communities
• Development of a draft plan to build Indigenous cultural safety for collaborative review, including guiding principles, structure, implementation, and performance measures
• Finalization of a plan to build Indigenous cultural safety informed by dialogue and Indigenous perspectives
• Creation of a visual representation (such as an infographic) to make the plan accessible and easy to share
Approach to Meetings and Timelines:
We recognize that meaningful engagement takes time and may require flexibility to respect cultural protocols. Where meetings are planned to review deliverables, we recommend allowing sufficient time for thoughtful consideration and feedback. A minimum of two weeks between the circulation of materials and the meeting date is suggested, but this can be adjusted through mutual agreement.
PROPOSAL
We invite interested facilitators to submit proposals by February 23, 2026. Proposals should provide insight into the proponent’s approach and experience, and we welcome recommendations that reflect Wabanaki knowledge systems and cultural protocols.
Suggested Proposal Components:
• An overview of the facilitator’s background and relevant experience in Indigenous cultural safety action planning, facilitation, and drafting an outline of the proposed approach and methodology for co-creating a plan to build Indigenous cultural safety
• Timelines and milestones for planning and implementation, with flexibility to accommodate cultural considerations
• An initial overview of key partners and people to be engaged
• A breakdown of fees and anticipated expenses
• At least two (2) references from previous clients for similar facilitation projects
Evaluation Criteria
• Proposals will be assessed with attention to both technical expertise and the ability to foster respectful, collaborative relationships.
• The following criteria will guide our evaluation:
- Demonstrated expertise, references, and experience in cultural safety planning, facilitation, and drafting
- Prior experience working with Indigenous peoples, organizations, and communities
- Understanding of First Nations health context and Wabanaki worldview, culture, and languages
- Clarity and comprehensiveness of the proposed approach
- Ability to create inclusive, culturally safe, and collaborative environments
- Proposed timelines and capacity to meet agreed-upon milestones
- Competitive and reasonable pricing
- Where possible, the ability to deliver services in English and French
- Preference will be given to Indigenous consultants with local knowledge
We value Indigenous-led approaches and encourage Indigenous proponents to apply. NANB reserves the right to enter into an agreement, or not, based on its evaluation of proposals received. NANB may also interview proponents as part of the evaluation process.
Timeline
• RFP Issuance: January 28, 2026
• Proposal Submission Deadline: February 23, 2026
Contact Information
For questions and submission of proposals, please contact:
Executive Office
Nurses Association of New Brunswick
165 Regent Street
Fredericton, NBE3B 7B4
Executiveoffice@nanb.nb.ca
We look forward to receiving your proposals and partnering with a knowledgeable and experienced Indigenous Consultant to help shape our Indigenous cultural safety journey.
