By aligning advanced AI tools with Indigenous procurement expertise, Maawandoon Inc. is helping Bell Textron Canada move the CH-146 Griffon ISS program into a new era of inclusive, data-driven engagement.

In Fort William First Nation, Ontario, a new partnership is taking shape that reflects both the evolving priorities of Canada’s defence sustainment programs and the growing momentum behind Indigenous economic participation. Maawandoon Inc., an Indigenous-owned leader specializing in engagement, procurement strategy, and AI-enabled supplier discovery, has been awarded a contract by Bell Textron Canada Limited (BTCL) to support the CH-146 Griffon In-Service Support (ISS) Program.

Under the agreement, Maawandoon will deliver a comprehensive Market Research Canadian Indigenous Business Report designed to strengthen Indigenous participation across the Griffon sustainment ecosystem. The six-month engagement directly supports Bell’s efforts to meet the Government of Canada’s mandatory 5% Indigenous Procurement Target, while opening new pathways for Indigenous businesses to participate in the aerospace and defence sectors.

A Data-Driven Approach to Indigenous Procurement

At the core of the engagement is a structured set of analytical and strategic deliverables that will provide Bell Textron Canada with a detailed understanding of Indigenous business capacity and opportunity within the Griffon ISS framework. These include:

  • An Indigenous Capacities and Capabilities Assessment
  • A Market Assessment for Direct Work
  • A Market Assessment for Indirect Work
  • An Overview of the Federal 5% Indigenous Procurement Policy

Together, these elements are intended to translate policy requirements into practical, actionable procurement strategies—helping ensure Indigenous participation is both meaningful and measurable.

The work also reflects a broader shift within Canada’s defence industry toward evidence-based supplier engagement, where data, compliance, and long-term capability development are increasingly interconnected.

Scaling IndigiMatch from Concept to Commercialization

A key component of the engagement is Bell’s support for the advancement of IndigiMatch, Maawandoon’s AI-driven Indigenous vendor-matching platform. As part of the contract, IndigiMatch is transitioning from Proof of Concept to Early Commercialization, marking an important milestone in the platform’s development.

Powered by advanced natural language processing, real-time contract ingestion, and Canada’s largest Indigenous business dataset, IndigiMatch is designed to support:

  • Rapid identification of Indigenous suppliers for ISS work packages
  • Compliance with Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB), PSIB, and federal procurement mandates
  • Audit-ready engagement tracking and reporting
  • Vendor performance monitoring and capability mapping

Bell’s adoption and integration of the platform accelerates its readiness for broader deployment across Canada’s aerospace and defence sectors, positioning IndigiMatch as a scalable solution for future sustainment and procurement programs.

Strengthening Supply Chains Through Economic Reconciliation

Beyond compliance, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Canada’s aerospace supply chain through inclusive economic development. By combining Bell’s leadership in military aviation sustainment with Maawandoon’s Indigenous-focused procurement expertise and AI capabilities, the engagement reinforces the role Indigenous businesses can play in long-term defence sustainment and industrial resilience.

“Maawandoon is honoured to support Bell Textron Canada in advancing meaningful and measurable Indigenous participation across the CH-146 program,” said Marvin Pelletier, Vice President, Maawandoon Inc. “Bell’s leadership directly supports economic reconciliation and strengthens Canada’s aerospace supply chain.”

As Canada’s defence programs continue to emphasize sustainment, accountability, and inclusive growth, collaborations like this one signal how technology, policy, and partnership can converge to deliver lasting impact—both for national capability and for Indigenous economic advancement.