Perkins&Will, a global architecture and design firm, has recently announced that it is awarding two new scholarships to support Indigenous architects in Canada. The scholarships aim to provide financial support to Indigenous students pursuing a career in architecture, as well as to increase the representation of Indigenous architects in the profession.
The scholarships are named after two Indigenous architects: the Douglas Cardinal Scholarship, named after Douglas Cardinal, an internationally recognized Indigenous architect, and the Alfred Waugh Scholarship, named after Alfred Waugh, the first registered Indigenous architect in Canada.
The Douglas Cardinal Scholarship will provide $10,000 in financial support to an Indigenous student pursuing a professional degree in architecture at a Canadian institution. The Alfred Waugh Scholarship, on the other hand, will provide $5,000 in financial support to an Indigenous student pursuing a technical or community college diploma in architecture or related fields.
Perkins&Will hopes that the scholarships will help to address the underrepresentation of Indigenous architects in the profession. According to the firm, there are currently only about 25 registered Indigenous architects in Canada, out of a total of approximately 5,000 architects.
In addition to the financial support, the scholarship recipients will also have the opportunity to participate in mentorship and networking programs with Perkins&Will architects and designers.
In a press release, Marsha Gentile, a senior associate at Perkins&Will and one of the firm's Indigenous design leads, said, "These scholarships will provide support to Indigenous students pursuing a career in architecture, helping to bridge the gap and create more opportunities for Indigenous architects in Canada. We hope that this initiative will inspire more Indigenous students to pursue a career in architecture, and help to build a more inclusive and diverse profession."
The scholarships are part of Perkins&Will's commitment to supporting Indigenous design and architecture. The firm has also established an Indigenous design and planning team, led by Indigenous designers, to provide expertise and guidance on projects that involve Indigenous communities and culture.
The Perkins&Will scholarships for Indigenous architects in Canada are an important step towards increasing diversity and representation in the architecture profession. By providing financial support and mentorship opportunities, these scholarships can help to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for Indigenous students pursuing a career in architecture.
We commend Perkins&Will for their commitment to supporting Indigenous design and architecture, and hope that this initiative will inspire other firms and organizations to follow suit.