Perkins&Will announces Indigenous student award winners

By Canadian Architect On Mar 29, 2023

Perkins&Will has announced the recipients of the studio’s Architecture Excellence and Graduate Architecture awards for Indigenous students enrolled in the Bachelor and Master programs at Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture.
The two new annual scholarships were created as part of the studio’s commitment to reconciliation in Canada. Matched in available years by Indspire—Canada’s national, award-winning Indigenous registered charity—students will be awarded up to $5,000 for each scholarship. Recipients will also be granted an internship at donor studio Perkins&Will in either Vancouver or Calgary.

“Indigenous peoples are underrepresented in architecture with less than thirty professionals registered in Canada. We created these scholarships to support talented students to graduation and build capacity within the field,” says Susan Gushe, principal and managing director of the Vancouver and Calgary studios of Perkins&Will.

Perkins&Will, Laurentian University, and Indspire congratulates the following award recipients:

The Perkins&Will Canada Indigenous Graduate Architecture Award. This award is distributed to Indigenous students who are enrolled in the Masters in Architecture program at Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture. The recipient is selected based on academic achievement and a thesis research project.

Recipient for the 2022-2023 academic year:
Kyara Wendling, MA Architecture student
Recipient for the 2021-2022 academic year:
Bohdana Chiupka Innes, MA Architecture graduate

The Perkins&Will Canada Indigenous Architecture Excellence Award. This award is distributed to third and fourth year Indigenous students who are enrolled in the Bachelor of Architectural Studies program at Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture. The recipient is selected based on academic achievement and design excellence.

Recipient for the 2022-2023 and 2021-2022 academic years:
Mackenzie Pitawanakwat, BA Architecture student

Kyara Wendling was born and raised in Port Colborne and is a member of the Archigantegou community. Kyara describes being fortunate to have learned a great deal about history and the significance that buildings hold through travel. “Buildings are artifacts that speak to us about how past cultures leave a lasting impact on today’s world.” Kyara is eager to focus on integrating Indigenous methodologies, traditional knowledge and culture within the context of architecture. “I hope to continue to engage with various Indigenous communities and empower them through the built environment by learning from those around me while also continuing to find my own identity through my work.”

Bohdana Chiupka-Innes is a Moose Cree from Moose Cree First Nation. Bohdana’s passion to learn more about Indigenous Architecture found her applying to the McEwen School of Architecture. “Learning about Indigenous Architecture at Laurentian University and how architecture can be a way to express our culture through built form has become a passion of mine. I hope to work with Indigenous communities across Turtle Island, bringing their vision and culture to life through architecture. Learning the history of our people is important, and I see Architecture as a way for our people to heal by connecting back to teaching and traditions through building design.”

Mackenzie Pitawanakwat is an Anishinaabekwe from Atikameksheng Anishnawbek First Nation. Mackenzie describes that she has benefited from the McEwen School of Architecture’s curriculum that supports the integration of Indigenous and natural materials in building and design. She has also benefited from interaction and guidance with elders and knowledge carriers (First Nations and Métis). “As an architect, I hope to influence the world we live in by working diligently to bridge the gap between a holistic and technical relationship within Architecture itself. I hope to contribute to First Nations Architecture and representation with the goal of giving back to my community and Indigenize land through design.”

“The McEwen School of Architecture is proud of its tri-cultural mandate with Indigenous learning embedded in many courses throughout the program and members of Indigenous communities, Knowledge Carriers, and Elders contributing regularly in design and theory courses. The McEwen School of Architecture is proud of the students and graduates who have chosen to learn, apply, and respectfully engage to support further knowledge and design with and for Indigenous peoples,” said Dr. Tammy Gaber, director and associate professor at Laurentian University’s McEwen School of Architecture.

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with Perkins&Will and Laurentian University on this important initiative. These scholarships not only represent a significant new opportunity for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students who want to pursue careers in architecture, it is also a tangible sign of reconciliation in action. We look forward to walking this productive path together with Perkins&Will and Laurentian University,” says Mike DeGagné, president and CEO of Indspire.

Students + Education