Empowering Indigenous Youth in STEM

This weekend, TMU’s Department of Architectural Science (DAS) participated in the AISES National Gathering (external link) , held at the Hilton Toronto from March 6-8, 2025. 

With over 400 attendees from across Turtle Island, this annual gathering featured a career expo, peer-reviewed presentations, tours, Elder teachings, learning circles, a student study lounge, and banquet dinners, as well as performances by the Eddie Thomas Troupe and Smoke Dancers of the Six Nations of the Grand River, the Siqiniup Qilauta (SUNSDRUM) Inuit throat singers, and Manitoba Métis fiddlers and jiggers. For images of the event see here (external link) .

AISES in Canada is part of a broader AISES network of 7000 members and 500+ First Nations. Founded in 1977 and based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, AISES (the American Indian Science and Engineering Society) is a national nonprofit organization focused on increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in STEM studies and careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

DAS Opportunities

The Department of Architectural Science table at the AISES academic and career expo joined other industry professionals - including AECOM, Arcadis, Arup, Stantec, University of Toronto, and more - in sharing information and specific opportunities to foster partnerships, build leadership, and recruit the next generation of Indigenous leaders in architecture, building science and project management. Materials on the table and insights from current students informed visitors about how DAS supports students to design, detail and deliver architectural projects that inspire communities, improve lives, and positively impact the world.

Thanks to DAS students who helped with the table: graduate Architecture students Mark Boulos and Angelica Mrakovcic, graduate Building Science students Odel Linetska and Maria Milan, and Architectural Science undergraduate students Grace Asselin and Emma Trudeau.

Innovation Rooted in Culture

With the theme of “Innovation Rooted in Culture,” the gathering also featured 60 paper sessions, including DAS presentations. 

Erik Skouris, DAS sessional instructor with Anishinaabe Ojibwe roots, and a design lead at Two Row Architect, presented the process of developing the Indigenous Design Guidelines for Toronto Metropolitan University. Created over four years by Two Row Architect, together with TMU’s Indigenous Space Sub-Working Group (ISSWG), Facilities Management Development (FMD), and broader talking circles, these guidelines describe an interconnected circle of values and impacts through ways of being, knowing and doing. The guidelines are informing the design approach to TMU’s new School of Medicine in Brampton, including priorities of belonging, community and connection to nature.

Dr. Helen Stopps, DAS Assistant Professor in Building Science, also presented at the AISES gathering, together with research partners Dr. Sarah Haines, Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering at the University of Toronto, and Natalie Clyke, CEO of Rocktree MgO Construction Material Inc, with roots in White Bear First Nations. Their presentation, “Two-Eyed Seeing for Better Built Environments: Community Engaged Approaches to Shape Housing,” demonstrated the benefits of bringing science and social processes together to create solutions to indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for on-reserve housing. This is part of a larger research initiative, From Harvest to House, involving First Nations communities in northern Saskatchewan.

Also presenting from TMU were Brooke Filsinger, PhD Candidate in Environmental Applied Science & Management, advisor to the Dean of Science on Indigenous Education, and member Six Nations of the Grand River, and Alacea Yerxa, fourth year Biomedical Sciences student and member of the Couchiching First Nation. Their presentation “Re-storying Science Education” reflected on student-led initiatives to advance Indigenous Knowledges at TMU during its recent transition in institutional name.

Other student and researcher presenters from Universities across Turtle Island covered a variety of topics intersecting STEM disciplines, including Engineering, Physical Sciences, Health Sciences, Computer Science, Medical Sciences, and Natural Resources, as well as Education, Professional Development and Student Services. 

Continuing our Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

TMU’s recently launched Academic Plan 2025-2030 includes among its five priorities: Continuing our Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Participation in the AISES in Canada National Gathering is one way through which the Department of Architectural Science is pursuing this commitment. 

Other DAS actions include mobilizing knowledge and opening conversations about Indigenous Curriculum Development in support of recommendation #9 of the Standing Strong Task Force / Next Chapter Action Plan. 

So far, the Department has dedicated time to sharing ideas and opening conversations, including with Indigenous guests and knowledge holders at two faculty retreats (in May and August 2024).  (google doc) Resources (external link)  have been assembled (google doc)   (external link) for faculty and students to build awareness and integrate into learning opportunities; and Indigenous perspectives are being introduced with guest speakers and uniquely framed studios.

This work has been supported by a modest grant, earned by DAS in 2024 from TMU’s Indigenous Education Council, and further supported by the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Science (FEAS) Dean’s office. Read more about the early stages of this initiative here. 

According to DAS Chair Lisa Landrum, “participation in AISES is part of an ongoing process of relationship-building, listening and sharing. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event to deepen and strengthen the mutual support and learning that this gathering fosters.”

The full agenda and downloadable program from the 2025 AISES in Canada National Gathering is available here (external link) .