Smart Cities Challenge Application


Question 10: Describe the partners that are or will be involved in your proposal. Where partners are not yet determined, describe the process for selecting them. This section should include:

  • A description of existing partners (what type of organization, what they do, etc.), their relevance, and expected contribution to the outcome (or outcomes).
  • Where partners are not yet determined or where it is anticipated that additional partners are required, describe the process for selecting them.

Biigtigong’s strategy incorporates our belief in the importance of establishing mutually beneficial partnerships. Our approaches to relationships are and have been based on the teachings expressed by our aaadsookaanan, teachings which promote collectivity, collaboration, conflict-resolution, inclusion, and open communication. Our Nishnaabe cultural ways are inherently conducive to team-approaches and partnerships. We have a strong history of establishing business partnerships and service partnerships.

Our existing partners for this project are the internal departments who provide service to the community. These departments operate under the direction of Chief and Council and are established for specific aspects of our service model.

One of the primary partners is our Education Department. Responsible for the operations of a day care centre, an elementary school, and a private high school, this partner will play a significant role in determining the project outcomes and methods of attaining them. In order to augment the existing school curriculum, we will work closely with the education personnel and utilize their expertise. Their primary role will be to assist in the curriculum development and assessment aspects of the program.

Our Health and Social Services Department is considered another primary partner. Having a long-standing relationship with our youth, this team brings a deep understanding of our youths’ social, mental and emotional challenges, as well as successful strategies. They will bring an array of information which will assist in increasing the emotional well-being of our youth.

Our partnership with our Language Department is of extreme importance to this project. The Language team brings a highly developed language revitalization plan to the table. Years of research and development and community-based work, has resulted in a strategy that ultimately aims to produce speakers of our language. This group brings to the project successfully-implemented models of second language acquisition, immersion-based theory, language documentation tools, and the results of community consultation. Additionally, they have an established network with the elders and knowledge carriers which can be accessed.

We view our relationship with our community as our most important partnership. Our success is dependent on community support and buy-in. Creating on-going opportunities for involvement, providing accurate and timely information and ensuring participation in the evaluation process will develop this partnership.

We believe we have included all relevant individuals and services in this project and each have meaningful roles and responsibilities. We have utilized the resources in the community and are committed to building the capacity to fill any gaps.

A historic self-government education agreement gave 23 Nishnaabe First Nations authority to enact education laws that govern their Education Systems and the delivery of programs and services. As a signatory to this agreement, Biigtigong intends to approach the Board to discuss potential opportunities and partnerships.

We anticipate that we will have to engage experts for the technology aspects of this project and this will be done via our contract service procurement process.

Our focus on creating an environment that promotes the development of partnerships, prefers team approaches and centers on relationships benefits the implementation of Smart Cities proposal.