Reanna Merasty (born 1995) is a nihithaw iskwere (Woodlands Cree Woman), an artist, writer, educator, and advocate.[1] Her work centres around the importance of Indigenous representation in Architecture, and advocating for and writing on Indigenous inclusion in design education.

Early life and education

Reanna Merasty was born in 1995 in Kisipakakamak, Brochet, Manitoba[2] and is a member of Barren Lands First Nation in Manitoba. She attended the University of Manitoba, earning a Bachelor of Environmental Design in 2019 and a Master of Architecture degree in 2021.[1]

In 2019, during her undergraduate, Reanna co-founded the Indigenous Design & Planning Students Association (IDPSA), the first Indigenous student-led organization in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba,[3] and the first of its kind in Canada.[1] The IDPSA advocates for the inclusion and representation of Indigenous design principals, initiatives, and programs in design education and fosters relationships with Indigenous communities.[3] During the final year of her graduate degree (2021) Merasty Co-Edited Voices of the Land: Indigenous Design and Planning from the Prairies.

Career and activism

"Indigenous people should be at the forefront of the conversation and decision-making processes when it comes to building on and for Indigenous people."[4]

She is the Chair of the Welcoming Winnipeg Committee of Community Members with the City of Winnipeg. The Welcoming Winnipeg Committee is one aspect of the City of Winnipeg's reconciliation processes.[5] The committee's tasks include guiding the city in decision-making regarding requests to create new, add to, or remove/rename historical markers and place names to reflect and commemorate Indigenous history, experiences, and perspectives.[5]

Merasty also sits on the Climate Action Plan Steering Committee and Indigenous Task Force with the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada,[6] is a Board Member for the design advocacy organization Storefront Manitoba, a charitable organization focused on the critical discussion, exploration, and celebration of Manitoba's design culture,[7] and a Board Member for the Indigenous music organization Sakihiwe Festival.

Publications

  • Co-Editor of "Voices of the Land: Indigenous Design and Planning from the Prairies" published in 2021.[8] The publication includes work from 16 Indigenous students across Turtle Island and conversations with Indigenous alumni from the U of M’s Faculty of Architecture.[9]

Awards

  • In 2020, Merasty was a recipient of the Manitoba Future 40 under 40 award.[10]
  • Upon graduating with her Master's of Architecture she was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal for leadership and promise of professional merit in Architecture in 2021.[11]
  • In 2023, Merasty was one of three Youth Recipients of the Inspire Awards for her work and advocacy for Indigenous inclusion and representation in design education,[1] and was one of six individuals chosen for the National Youth Panel at the N.S. Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers Conference.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Reanna Merasty – Indspire". indspire.ca. 2023-05-10. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  2. ↑ University of Manitoba (March 11, 2020). "Campus leaders honoured at fourth annual Indigenous Awards of Excellence". Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  3. 1 2 "IDPSA 2021–2022 | Faculty of Architecture | University of Manitoba". umanitoba.ca. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  4. ↑ Alwahaidi, Keena (Jun 15, 2023). "Meet some of the 2023 Indspire Awards recipients making a difference in their communities". CBC Radio.
  5. 1 2 "Committee of community members – Indigenous Relations Division – City of Winnipeg". legacy.winnipeg.ca. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  6. ↑ Canada, Royal Architectural Institute of (2014-08-22). "Committees". Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  7. ↑ "Local architects power Winnipeg's reinvigorated design". The Globe and Mail. 2012-10-19. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  8. ↑ Lam, Elsa (2021-06-01). "Book Review: Voices of the Land—Indigenous Design and Planning from the Prairies". Canadian Architect. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  9. ↑ Wong, Nicole (Feb 22, 2021). "Trying to inspire Indigenous youth by Design". Winnipeg Sun. Retrieved Jul 20, 2023.
  10. ↑ "#CBCMBFuture40". CBC Comm Mktg & Brand. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  11. ↑ "University Medals and Prizes". issuu. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
  12. ↑ "Reanna Merasty – Cando". www.edo.ca. Retrieved 2023-07-20.
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