Nishnaabenaadziwin Aabaakwigaade: designing a cultural centre in Nipissing First Nation

Abstract

Indigenous peoples represent a resilience, rooted in their collective resistance to forced assimilation efforts imposed by colonization. This resilience is seen through their revival and reclamation efforts. This thesis explores integrating Indigenous traditional knowledge of culture and tradition into the contemporary architectural design for a cultural center proposal for Nipissing First Nation(Nbisiing) in designing a space that supports the cultural exchange of arts, crafts, language, culture, and tradition for the community. The study investigates different architectural case studies and land-based learning to inform the design of a culturally responsive proposal that recognizes the deep connection between First Nation communities and their environments. The research investigates how architectural spaces can reflect this revival and reclamation through sustainability, cultural heritage, and communal learning. This thesis responds to, “How can a cultural center be designed to support the cultural revitalization, identity, and knowledge-sharing needs of Nipissing First Nation through a decolonized, land-based architectural process that integrates Nbisiing traditional knowledge and values?” This work advocates for respecting and revitalizing Indigenous ways of knowing in architecture, contributing to a broader discourse of decolonizing designs.