Indigenous Design Camp - 2026

We are thrilled to announce the return of the Indigenous Design Camp, a week-long day camp designed to ignite the spark of design creativity in Indigenous youth!

A dedicated group of individuals representing First American Design Studio, Full Circle Indigenous Planning + Design, Minnesota Architectural Foundation, SALA Architects, DSGW Architecture, Dunwoody College of Technology, and the University of Minnesota Schools of Design has come together, recognizing the need to bring awareness of design careers to young Indigenous minds within our communities. These careers, encompassing fields like architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and more, significantly impact our tribal landscapes and everyday lives. Yet, they often remain unseen and unexplored by Indigenous youth.

The Indigenous Design Camp aims to bridge this gap by immersing participants in a week of engaging activities.

Here's what awaits our future Indigenous design leaders:

• Dates: Monday June 22, 2026 – Friday, June 26, 2026
• Times: Typically 9:00 am to 3:30 pm each day
• Format: Day camp (no overnight stays)
• Location: Twin Cities metro area. Based at Dunwoody College each morning, with field trips, tours and University of Minnesota activities in the afternoon.
• Target audience: Indigenous youth ages 14-18

Activities:

• Morning & Afternoon Sessions: Lectures by design faculty, hands-on experience in fabrication labs (fab-lab), design challenges, sketching workshops, and more.
• Field Trips: City tours, office visits with design professionals, and interactions with current design students.
• Lunch & Transportation: Provided for all participants.
• Sample Design Project: Work on a project during the week with a presentation on Friday, followed by lunch with your families and friends that Friday.

The Benefits:

• Exposure to Diverse Design Careers: Discover exciting possibilities in design fields relevant to your communities.
• College Experience: Enjoy campus life and see yourself thriving in higher education.
• Mentorship & Learning: Interact with design professionals and current students, gaining valuable insights and skills.
• Cultural Connection: Build friendships and networks with other Indigenous youth passionate about design. Meet other Indigenous design leaders in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and more.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS TO ATTEND:

1. SIGNED WAIVERS
2. SIGNED PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE
3. These will be sent to those who are issued tickets, make sure to endorse and reply to the email prior to attendance.

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