Celebrating Indigenous History Month 2024 at KPMB

July 12, 2024

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time when people come together to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous Peoples to Canadian society. 

It is also a time to rededicate ourselves to supporting initiatives that address anti-Indigenous racism and prioritize truth and reconciliation.  

Last month, we were honoured to host Elder Dr. Duke Redbird from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation at our office. A celebrated Indigenous poet, filmmaker, and keynote speaker, Dr. Redbird spoke about Indigenous ways of being, the complex relations between Indigenous Peoples and settler communities, and how to view technology and artificial intelligence through an Indigenous lens. 

Following Dr. Redbird’s talk, the team enjoyed lunch from Indigenous catering company Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin (They Feed the People). Founded in 2020 as a food security project for unhoused Indigenous folks, Dashmaawaan Bemaadzinjin builds relationships through food, using its profits to support Indigenous seniors, families, and vulnerable community members in the city. 

This month, and every month, KPMB is committed to shaping a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. In 2020, we began a partnership with Indspire, a charitable organization that supports the education of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. Through this partnership, we fund bursaries for Indigenous students pursuing post-secondary education in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and related design fields. And at Laurentian University, we created the KPMB Indigenous Design Excellence Award (IDEA) to provide financial support to Indigenous students at The McEwen School of Architecture. 

KPMB is eager to build new relationships with Indigenous communities, architects, and designers to support them in tangible, lasting ways. Please reach out with opportunities and partnerships you feel would be suitable to support.