In this conversation, Sierra Tasi Baker, Lead Design Consultant at Sky Spirit Studio, talks about finding happiness in her identity while living on the unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim speaking peoples of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) (MST) peoples, otherwise known as Vancouver.  In exploring the topic of happiness, Sierra reflects on the ways in which spatial designers can have a decolonized design practice. She shares her vision of MST futurism and sovereignty. Sierra has also coined the concept of Etiological Design;  a design process which centres Indigenous historical systems of storytelling and memory keeping. Inviting storytelling into the design process allows for designs that can truly reflect and honour the stories and the people who originate from the land.  

In this interview, Kofi Bonne, author of Black Landscapes Matter and Professor of Landscape Architecture at NC State University in the College of Design, discusses his experience as a black landscape architect, the importance of making space for the next generation of black landscape architects, and challenging white supremacy in design education. In this conversation, Divine and Kofi explore what constitutes a black landscape, from plantations to black towns, and how culture and identity shapes the landscape. In the context of erasing Black excellence and innovation from the landscape origin story, Kofi calls for a retelling of this history as a first step towards better collective problem solving and consensus building within the field of landscape architecture.

“Black is spatial for me.” Words from Rumbi Zinyemba

In this episode, I am joined by my good friends Rumbi Zinyemba and Petros Kusmu for a discussion centred around Blackness and what it means to be Black. We  discuss being Black in the context of Canada and how this differs from being Black in our home countries, the spatiality of structural racism, what a Black utopia might look like, and how much we miss dancing. We also take the time to imagine what spaces might look like if they were made for Black people, a world that is made for us.

Design unmute is a podcast that centers marginalized voices in design, art and all things creative.

It is hosted by Divine Ndemeye, a landscape designer and social critic.