Request for Proposals: Treaty #3 Food Hub Pilot Project

Title: Treaty #3 Food Hub Pilot Project Due: November 20th, 2026 1.0 BACKGROUND Treaty #3 Mandate: Protecting the future of our people by ensuring the protection, preservation, and enhancement of Inherent and Treaty rights This is achieved by advancing the exercise of: Inherent jurisdiction Sovereignty Nation-building and; Traditional Governance With the aim to preserve and build the Anishinaabe Nation’s goal of self-determination. We accomplish these goals with Treaty/territory wide approaches in cooperation with communities, Tribal Councils and organizations who work with the Anishinaabe in Treaty #3. Within the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 our technical staff: Employ strategic approaches Develop capacity building plans to match self-government priorities Link political direction and programs through policy development and law making for a national system. Propose implementation options for the realization of a National Vision Promote new ways of doing business Provide policy and administrative support to the network of programs and services that operate in the Anishinaabe Nation Promote efficient, effective, transparent, and accountable Anishinaabe services Identify gaps and work to reduce gaps and overlap Act as a Secretariat to the National Assembly and Grand Council Provide administrative support to Chiefs committees 2.0 OUTLINE OF SERVICES Grand Council Treaty #3 (GCT#3) is undertaking the Treaty #3 Food Hub Pilot Program to establish the foundation for the development of the first Regional Treaty #3 Food Hub. This project will explore how a food hub could improve the food systems in Treaty #3, increase access to locally and traditionally produce foods, support entrepreneurs, and create a long-term economic opportunity for all Treaty #3 communities. The project will be community-driven, culturally grounded, and guided by Anishinaabe knowledge, values, and Manito Aki Inaakonigewin. It will engage Treaty #3 communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Chiefs, Economic Development Officers, harvesters, farmers and producers, youth, and other Treaty #3 community members to understand the current food system, identify and pursue opportunities, and develop a practical foundation to implement the Treaty #3. The successful applicant will complete the project from November 2026 to November 2027, working closely with GCT#3 and Treaty #3 communities. Through community engagement, market research, and infrastructure assessment, the project will seek to accomplish the following: 1. Identify existing food programs, gardens, harvesting activities, agricultural initiatives, and local food projects in Treaty #3 territory. 2. Plan and facilitate four regional engagement sessions and three knowledge-sharing gatherings to identify community priorities, food supply priorities, and community readiness for a Regional Food Hub. 3. Collect and analyze information on food producers, existing agricultural activities in Treaty #3, traditional food systems, and current distribution routes. 4. Develop a complete regional food system assessment, such as identifying gaps in storage, processing, transportation, and distribution, and develop regional food system mapping per direction. 5. Develop a supply chain analysis that contains information such as transportation costs, distribution barriers, storage and processing requirements, seasonal food availability, traditional and non-traditional food systems mapping, and opportunities for regional partnerships and improved food distribution. 6. Conduct site visits to communities to evaluate potential sites for the Food Hub, based on land availability, infrastructure, accessibility, transportation, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. 7. Develop a proposed governance model and assess ownership options, decision-making structures, leadership responsibilities, accountability, and community participation for a future Regional Treaty #3 Food Hub. 8. Prepare a comprehensive business plan and …

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