By Adele Weder
What is Indigenous architecture? How is it different from other architecture, and why does it matter? To discuss these and other questions, architect Ouri Scott will be coming to Haida Gwaii later this month to participate in two public presentations and interactive conversations.
“Indigenous Architecture: A New Paradigm” will take place during the weekend of Feb. 22 on both the north and south ends of the island. The event will begin with a short presentation by architecture critic Adele Weder on contemporary architecture that is Indigenous-designed or informed, followed by Ouri’s discussion of Indigenous architecture and a presentation of her own work, with commentary by architecturally trained Jane Kinegal.
A Tłı̨chǫ Dene architect originally from the Northwest Territories, Ouri currently lives and works in Vancouver on the unceded lands of the Musqueam, Squamish/Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. She is the first Indigenous female architect in British Columbia and one of the few registered Indigenous architects in Canada.
Most of Canada’s built landscape is based on the Western European philosophy of Modernism, which is too often indifferent to local histories, cultures, materials, and respect for nature. Ouri brings an Indigenous perspective to her design work, responding to contemporary Indigenous culture and values. Rooted in the importance of land and place to Indigenous peoples, she is passionate about sustainable architecture and sees it as honouring her role as a “steward of the land.” She has worked with First Nations to develop feasible building programs for mixed-use community buildings.
Currently, she is a principal at Urban Arts Architecture, a Vancouver firm that emphasizes resilient, sustainable, and meaningful spaces for all people. One of her current projects under construction is the Aboriginal Land Trust development, which includes a healing lodge and family housing to serve the urban Indigenous community in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Designed with guidance from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers, “the project will offer a welcoming and supportive environment where the community can live, heal, and thrive,” she says.
Ouri encourages anyone interested in a career in architecture to pursue it. “It’s a growing profession, a growing field,” she says. She notes that Canada only has roughly a dozen Indigenous architects and needs more to create better buildings, not only in Indigenous communities but across the country.
Ouri will meet with students at Daaxiigan Sk’adáa Née on Friday, Feb. 21, in the afternoon. On Saturday, Feb. 22, she will present at the Port Clements library at 10:30 a.m., followed by an evening presentation at the Haida Heritage Centre at Ḵay ‘Llnagaay at 7 p.m.
Her visual presentation will be followed by a conversation with Adele and Jane; the audience is strongly encouraged to participate with questions and comments.