Request for proposal: Red Amauti Project

Statement of Work

Introduction

Inuit women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are strong and resilient.

Inuit women and girls who are missing or have been murdered are grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces, cousins and aunts. They are friends, relatives, colleagues, and members of our community, and each tragic loss impacts our entire society. The unacceptable number of Inuit women and girls who are missing or have been murdered is largely a symptom of the relatively high prevalence of domestic violence and abuse experienced by Inuit women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and their children. This violence is itself a symptom of avoidable systemic problems that must be curbed.

As the national voice for Inuit women in Canada, Pauktuutit fosters greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women, advocates for equality and social improvements, and encourages Inuit women’s full participation in the community, regional and national life of Canada. One component of advocating for the social, cultural, political and economic betterment of Inuit women, their families and communities, is to ensure that the necessary policy tools are developed and applied in a manner that reflects the realities and needs of Inuit women.

Preventing violence against Inuit women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people requires governments and Inuit to break intergenerational cycles of violence by addressing the systemic challenges known to increase the likelihood of violence. Despite being well documented, systemic challenges persist that have disproportionately negative impacts on the most vulnerable members of our society, and these challenges include the Inuit Nunangat housing crisis, limited access to emergency shelters and other safe spaces, and limited access to the tools, services, and resources that we know are needed to support healing and healthy relationships.

The amauti is a traditional symbol of Inuit women and the “Red Amauti” has become a symbol of remembrance of the far too many women and children who have been lost.

We are currently accepting applications for the design and creation of four red amautis, one from each region: Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, and Inuvialuit. These red amautis will be a constant reminder of those we have lost and a way of honouring the Inuit women and girls who are missing or were murdered.

Goal of the project

To promote and increase awareness, we will be engaging with Inuit women to create four, regionally distinct, amauti.  These amautis will include elements from each of the land claim regions, sewn by Inuit seamstresses, to honor those we have lost.  We envision housing our specially designed four red amautis in cultural centres across Inuit Nunangat and Canada.

Scope

This is an open call to individuals, or organizations (Inuit seamstresses) who are interested in creating an amauti to honour the Inuit women and girls who are missing or were murdered.

Deliverables

The final deliverable for this project is a fully completed amauti.

It is important for applicants to demonstrate an understanding of Inuit culture and the traditional practice of creating clothing.

Applicants must have extensive experience as a seamstress and have traditional knowledge to draw upon.  They must possess effective skills and methodology and have the proven expertise to produce culturally authentic work.

Timeline

The duration of the contract will be from September 20, 2021, to January 31, 2022.

  • Bids accepted until September 10, 2021
  • Contract begins September 20, 2021
  • Contract ends January 31, 2022

Pauktuutit’s Roles and Responsibilities

The primary contact at Pauktuutit for this project is Gootas Desmarais, Commemoration project manager (gdemarais@pauktuutit.ca).  Pauktuutit commits to providing the information and materials necessary to complete the work and will respond to requests for information promptly.

Pauktuutit will provide all applicants with a final decision within five business days following the submission deadline.

Confidentiality, Privacy and Copyright

The successful applicant shall not disclose to any party any confidential information gained or resulting from activities undertaken under this project, nor shall the applicant disclose any information concerning Pauktuutit or their affairs while working on this project.

Pauktuutit and the successful applicant will agree to acknowledge and accord appropriate credit for each other’s contribution to this project, including any products developed and disseminated as a result. Both parties will agree on how credit is attributed, depending on the nature and degree of each organization’s contribution.

Pauktuutit retains ownership of all materials and intellectual property created, designed, or produced because of activities undertaken by the successful applicant when awarded this project. The amauti designed and sewn by the seamstress will belong to Pauktuutit.  The work will be displayed in cultural centres and museums across Canada on a rotational basis.  The seamstress will be acknowledged for their original work, with a statement (plaque or similar) that will travel with the amauti.

The successful applicant will generate original work for this project.

Proposal Instructions

  • Applicants must submit their name, references, and examples of their sewing portfolio

No payment will be made for costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal in response to this RFP.

  • No costs incurred before receipt of a signed contract can be charged to the proposed contract,
  • Travel that may be required will be separate from this scope of work budget and will be paid for by Pauktuutit, and,
  • Pauktuutit reserves the right not to award a contract because of this RFP.

Budget

The proposal must include:

  • A detailed budget that demonstrates the objectives and deliverables for the project can be met,
  • Indicate the billing rate,
  • List any other expenses that might be applicable, and,
  • The total bid MUST include 13% HST tax.

Rights of the Organization

Pauktuutit reserves the right to:

  • Enter negotiations with one or more bidders on any or all aspects of this proposal
  • Accept any proposal in whole or in part
  • Cancel and/or re-issue this requirement at any time
  • Award one or more contracts; and
  • Verify any or all information provided by the bidder regarding this requirement.

Contact Information

Please direct the application to:


Gootas Desmarais, Manager, Commemoration project
Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada
520—1 Nicholas St., Ottawa ON K1N 7B7
gdemarais@pauktuutit.ca

Detailed instructions

  1. Choose a name for your submission
    • Iqqaumajavut, (we remember you)
    • Ilavut (our family)
    • Ilapivut (cherished family)
    • Puigujangitavut (we will not forget)
    • Naligija (you are loved)
    • Naligijau (you were loved)
    • Iqqaaumainnalangajavut Arqnaapivut, Arqnaapivut Puigurqtaujjaangituut, Arqnaapivut Puigurqtaulauqsimajjangittuit, (The Red Amauti)
    • Other: _________________________________________________________________
  1. Tell us about yourself:

Name:
Address:
Email:
Phone number:

Write a short paragraph of who you are, what this project represents and why this project is important to you.

  1.  What region will your amauti be designed from?

Nunavut          Nunavik          Inuvialuit        Nunatsiavut

  1. Describe to us your experience as a skilled seamstress.
  2. Provide us with photos and pictures of some of your work.
  3. Describe your vision for the Red Amauti design.  Please describe the colors, symbols, materials, etc. you plan to use to make the red amauti that showcases your region.  Include a sketch or drawing of your vision if possible.
  4. How many hours of work will you require to create your original piece?
  5. Will you be working on this project by yourself, or will you have a team? If so, who are the members of your team?  How many hours will they contribute?
  6. Is there someone in your family, on your team or in your community who would be willing to photo document the story about your design and creation process of your red amauti? 
    If so, who? (Please include their contact information)
  7. All materials for your project will be purchased by Pauktuutit.  Please provide us with a full list of supplies you will need.
Material Colour Quantity
(number or length needed)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Some examples of materials include (but is not limited to) Milton, duffle, commander, bias, thread, fur, beads, yarn etc.

  1. Don’t forget to include your budget.

Your completed application and photos of original work of your previous amautis should be submitted to GDesmarais@pauktuutit.ca with the name of the project in the email header. Applications must be received by September 10, 2021

If you have any questions, please contact me by email by phone at 613-238-3977 Ext. 238.

Contact Information

Please direct the application to:

Gootas Desmarais, Commemoration project manager (gdemarais@pauktuutit.ca)