The Program for Native American Studies in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences and the Landscape Architecture Program in the School of Design and Community Development will host “Earth and Sky: Indigenous Perspectives on the Built Landscape,” a film screening and panel discussion highlighting Indigenous voices in architecture.
The event will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 19) at the South Agricultural Sciences Building, Room 1021, and on Zoom.
Free parking is available for those who attend in-person.
The evening will feature a screening of the acclaimed film which follows seven Indigenous architects from North America as they share their experiences of cultural connection and architectural innovation. Through their design processes and projects, the architects showcase how Indigenous values and deep connections to the earth inform and shape their work.
The film emphasizes how these architects build not only structures but also bridges between traditional Indigenous knowledge and modern architectural practice, presenting a vision for sustainable, culturally-rooted architecture in today’s world.
Following the film screening, a panel discussion will provide an opportunity for attendees to engage with Indigenous experts in architecture and design. They will discuss the intersection of culture, identity and architecture, offering insights into the future of architectural practices.
“The Landscape Architecture Program is pleased to partner with Native American Studies to bring this important film and significant panel to campus and beyond. The more we learn of diverse design practices and projects in the built environment, the more our students, faculty and community are informed of the possibilities of design in addressing many needs within multiple contexts,” said Peter Butler, professor and landscape architecture extension specialist at the WVU School for Community and Economic Development. “The panel will certainly inform us of cutting-edge contemporary practices that we can integrate into our studio classrooms and bring to our community partners.”
Panelists include professionals from the firm MIG Inc., a supporter of the event: José Leal (Spanish, French, Nahua), director of MIG’s Native Nation Building Studio; Nathaniel Willing (First Nation Anishinaabe/Ojibwe), WVU alumnus and landscape designer; and Paul Fragua (Pueblo of Jemez), architect and planner.
“We’re grateful that Native American Studies and Landscape Architecture alum Nathaniel Willing and his esteemed colleagues are joining us. It was Nathaniel who proposed offering this special presentation here at WVU,” said Bonnie Brown, NAS Program Coordinator
The event is free and open to the public.
Registration for virtual attendance is also available on the Program for Native American Studies’ website.
“Earth and Sky: Indigenous Perspectives on the Built Landscape” was supported by the WVU E. Lynn Miller Lecture Fund and the John R. Tschiderer Landscape Architecture Education Experience Fund.