In March 2026, the Canadian Architecture Students Association (CASA-ACÉA) presented CAFÉ Indigenous Knowledge and Design at the University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, McGill University, University of Manitoba, and Toronto Metropolitan University. The series of events brought vital Canadian conversations to the forefront, highlighted important local Indigenous voices, and offered meaningful perspectives on Indigenous-led design to architecture students across the country.
The forums brought together students, educators, practitioners, and Indigenous knowledge holders across five schools of architecture, forming a coordinated cross-country series that connected regional conversations into a shared national discussion on Indigenous knowledge in architectural education and beyond.
CASA-ACÉA is an independent, non-profit, bilingual, and student-led organization. Their mission is to connect and advocate for the community of architecture students across Canada by supporting, promoting, and profiling student success. For this national forum series,
CASA-ACÉA selected the theme and curated the conversations in consultation with influential Indigenous voices in architecture across Canada.
Across the five events, keynote speakers included architects, educators, Indigenous knowledge holders, and student leaders working across practice, teaching, and community-engaged design, reflecting land-based knowledge and evolving approaches to architectural education and practice.
Together, the events created opportunities for dialogue between students, educators, and practitioners across regions, reinforcing architectural education as a shared national conversation.
Kjipuktuk (Halifax) Lecture — Richard Kroeker, Ralph M. Medjuck Building, Dalhousie University, School of Architecture. March 5, 2026.
Tkaronto (Toronto) Student Work Exhibition — Coursework led by Erik Skouris and James K. Bird, Learning from the Land: Indigenous-Led Design at DAS, Department of Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University. March 9-13, 2026.
Winipīhk (Winnipeg) Panel — Reanna McKay (Merasty), Jory Thomas-Blanchard and Maisie Berens, John A. Russell Building, Faculty of Architecture, University of Manitoba. March 10, 2026.
Tiohtià:ke (Montréal) Lecture and Film Screening — Jeremie Leoub, Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture, McGill University. March 12, 2026.
Tkaronto (Toronto) Panel — Eladia Smoke, Erik Skouris, Trina Moyan and Johl Whiteduck Ringuette, moderated by Julien Todd, presented by Seraphine Simpson, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto. March 20, 2026.
Tkaronto (Toronto) Indigenous Reading and Guided Tour led by Trina Moyan, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto. March 27, 2026
“CAFÉ 2026 created opportunities for students across Canada to learn directly from influential architects and knowledge holders whose work is shaping how architectural education engages with land, community, and responsibility. Supporting these conversations at a national level was a privilege,” said Arvin Ashouri, CAFÉ Chair and Vice-President of CASA-ACÉA.
CAFÉ 2026
CAFÉ Indigenous Knowledge and Design was presented as part of the Canadian Architecture Forums on Education (CAFÉ), an outreach project launched in 2019 by Dr. Lisa Landrum to discuss and debate the role of architectural education and research in shaping Canada’s future. Previous CAFÉ forums addressed national themes, including Architecture Policy for Canada (2019–2020), Equity in Architecture (2022), and CAFÉ Housing (2025). CAFÉ 2026 continued this legacy by centring Indigenous knowledge and design within architectural education across Canada.
Learning from the Land
In Toronto, the exhibition Learning from the Land: Indigenous-Led Design at DAS presented student work from Indigenous-led studios and curriculum initiatives, extending the forum’s conversations into a spatial and pedagogical format accessible throughout the exhibition week.
“As a Toronto Met alumni and a graduate student practicing architecture in Toronto, I understand the importance of integrating and centring Indigenous voices and teaching into architectural pedagogy as imperative. The exhibition and Erik’s teachings challenge one’s assumptions of authorship and ask us to think about reorienting the “studio” culture toward a long-term relational thinking, where community protocols and intergenerational knowledge shape both process and outcome,” said Treya Vyas, University of Toronto.
Indigenous Knowledge and Design
CAFÉ 2026 responded to the need for stronger representation of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives within architectural education. Canada’s built environment continues to be shaped by colonial systems that have historically overlooked Indigenous ways of knowing, land stewardship, and place-based design. Through a national platform bringing together architects, educators, and knowledge holders, CAFÉ 2026 supported reflection, dialogue, and learning, advancing conversations on Indigenous-led design and practice within the Canadian architectural context.
“In our ever-changing future, Indigenous knowledge plays a crucial role in shaping our environment to be climate change resilient, socially conscious, and aesthetically innovative. It is essential that these conversations are led by Indigenous peoples, including architects, designers, and knowledge holders,” said Julien Todd, University of Toronto.
As a student-led, non-profit initiative, the forum series relied on the generous support of sponsors, whose contributions made this year’s events possible. For more information, visit CAFÉ 2026 and follow @casa.acea on Instagram.
Special thanks to the student organizers at all the schools who helped with this initiative:
Arvin Ashouri
Treya Vyas
Julien Todd
KrishaThakkar
Karina Craig
Charlotte Currer
Hannah Kim
Alex Volyk
Parinaz Nabavi
Sayan Chowdury
Nitheesh Devi
Ethan Kyle
Mariah Hildebrand
Sophie Jones
Princess Villano
William Beaudet
Dharshini Mahesh Babu
Julie Ward
Ava Pitcher
Purvangi Patel
Camila Lima
Adhira Ravi