We Carry the Land: Reorienting

Ancestor Geography & Mapping Indigenous Futurity

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As part of the courtyard installation We Carry the Land, Materials & Applications (M&A), the Indigenous Society of Architecture, Planning, and Design, and River Garza host a conversation and workshop that explores ideas of position and orientation—social, geographic, and otherwise relational—through rethinking spatial visualization and mapping practices.

As the original inhabitants and stewards of lands and waters, Indigenous peoples have resiliently carried traditions and culture through generations. Throughout history, many Indigenous mapmakers drew both space and knowledge across time. The first cartographers mapped connections across land to relatives utilizing community and ancestral thinking as planning principles to design. Understanding foundational planning principles of seven-generation design, community and multigenerational interconnectedness, and stewardship can foster holistic worldviews in practices today. What does Ancestor Geography & Mapping Indigenous Futurity look like today and how can it influence design practice? In this workshop, participants will create maps using stencils, spray paint, and other objects to their ancestors using their own language, memories, experiences, and dreams. Participants will learn how to map tangible and intangible cultural elements that reinforce sovereignty, collective power, and futurity.

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Miriam Diddy is a planner and GIS specialist based in Albuquerque, NM. With ten years of mapping, planning, and design experience for tribal communities, her work builds upon both the tangible and intangible elements of planning. Born and raised in New Mexico as a Diné and Hopi woman, her work focuses on bridging the ties between the contemporary built environment and cultural narratives that honor and recognize the resiliency of indigenous people in everyday places. Miriam is Regional Director of Deserts & Xeric Shrublands for the Indigenous Society of Architecture, Planning & Design (ISAPD).

River T. Garza is an Indigenous interdisciplinary visual Artist based out of Los Angeles. Garza is Tongva, Mexican, and he is a member of Ti’at Society. His work draws on traditional Tongva aesthetics, Southern California Indigenous maritime culture, Chicano culture ,Mexican art, graffiti, skateboarding, and lowrider art. Garza often explores the intersection of Tongva and Chicano/Mexican identity, history, and culture through his art practice. His work can be found in permanent and private collections.

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This program is presented in collaboration with Materials & Applications.
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This program is free and open to the public.
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Space is limited. Advance reservations are required.