Faculty of Architecture students participate in Indigenous cultural awareness day
Indigenous perspectives are deeply rooted in the land. Creation stories clarify that we have a reciprocal relationship with the land and do not position ourselves as distinct. This deep connection to the land participates a responsibility of looking at a world that is sustainable.
On November 4th, 2019 100 students in the first year Environmental Design Program participated in a Cultural Awareness Session & Tipi Building Workshop at Cedar Lake Ranch, Manitoba
During an engaging session out on the land, students took part in discussions centered around the importance of land protection, and the integration of architecture and Indigenous knowledge.
The full day workshop provided students with knowledge concentrating on:
- Perspectives of land and territory, worldviews, spirituality, and beliefs vs religion.
- Myths & Misconceptions surrounding Indigenous peoples, historical events.
- Historical events and their impact on present day Indigenous people
- The hidden legacy of the Indian Residential Schools system
- Cultural appropriation in a modern context
- Opportunities and challenges facing today’s Indigenous people
The session is the first of many initiatives by a newly formed Association of Indigenous Architecture Students. Their goal, along with Indigenous Scholar, Shawn Bailey, is to integrate more Indigenous representation, speakers, workshops, and knowledge within the Faculty of Architecture, at the University of Manitoba. The outcome of this endeavor will be the continued integration of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives with architecture, design, and planning.
