By IDC staff
Wanda Dalla Costa
Founder and Principal of Tawaw Architecture Collective and Professor of Indigenous Architecture at Arizona State University.
Wanda Dalla Costa is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation and is the first First Nations woman to become a registered architect in Canada. As a leading specialist in Indigenous design, Wanda has dedicated her career to developing culturally responsive design and built environments that serve as a teaching tool for traditional knowledge. Through her extensive travels, Wanda observed populations that were able to reconcile contemporary architecture and cultural lifeways. Her mission is to build a conversation around those often invisible and life affirming aspects of culture that serve to instill meaning in the built environment.
Linda Makins
Principal of MAKINSACHANGE Creative Environments Inc.
Linda Makins is the great-granddaughter of Sagamaw Geodol (Chief) Noel Jedore of the Mi’kmaq of Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River, Newfoundland. Her approach to design is not about aesthetic but about correcting imbalances and creating harmony within space. Her relationship with clients, suppliers, and contractors is centered on mutual respect, communication, and kindness. Linda is a past president, current IDC Fellow, and member of the IDC Foundation board.
Tessa Piapot-Christopher
Intern member of IDC, with a Bachelor of Environmental Design degree from the University of Manitoba
Tessa Piapot-Christopher is a member of Piapot First Nation and currently works for P3Architecture Partnership in Regina, Saskatchewan. She began her career in residential home design and produced award-winning, new-residential home designs. Identifying as Indigenous and Black, Tessa brings a unique perspective to her work. She is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion within the design community and is committed to working closely with Indigenous communities.
Keshia Caplette
IDC’s Vice-President and Indigenous Task Force Lead
Keshia Caplette is a Métis interior designer with an inclination for healthcare design. With over a decade of experience in the architectural, interior design, and construction industries, she has been involved with projects in various sectors. After undergoing brain surgery in January 2020 to remove a tumor, Keshia’s desire to strengthen the experience of our medical facilities has only expanded. By rethinking and recreating the spaces we surround ourselves with, Keshia believes we can transform our day to day and bring a little bit of light to the world.