Indigenous Design + Planning Institute Premieres Limited Podcast Series, PlaceKnowing

April 17, 2024

Dr. Ted Jojola leads essential conversation around community brownfield revitalization and renewal  

The University of New Mexico’s Indigenous Design and Planning Institute (iD+Pi) in the School of Architecture + Planning is excited to announce the debut of its limited original podcast series– PlaceKnowing with Dr. Ted Jojola.

Set to premiere on April 17, 2024, the six-episode production examines the essential relationship between land, storytelling, and community, and the importance of visioning and revitalization around brownfields (abused or neglected land) in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Each episode delves into various case studies intended to inform and inspire listeners to learn and lead change in their own spaces through Indigenous design methodologies. Topics include the burned site of a historic trading post at Round Rock community, in western Navajo Nation; a subarctic Indigenous village tackling climate change and relocation in Golovin, Alaska; and, the rematriation of a historically contaminated site in Oklahoma City that eventually became the First Americans Museum.

The series is hosted by iD+Pi founder and director, Dr. Ted Jojola, a world-renowned expert in Indigenous design and planning methodology, and distinguished Professor and Regents’ Professor in the Community & Regional Planning Program, School of Architecture + Planning, The University of New Mexico. The podcast is co-produced with The Aunties Dandelion media organization and marks a far-reaching, first-of-its-kind collaboration between the institute, Kansas State University’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) and Tribal TAB programs, which are funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and 19 other educational partners.

“Indigenous design and planning methods honor the ages-old strength, wisdom, and beauty inherent in our communities,” says Dr. Ted Jojola. “These approaches benefit community planners, advocates, educators, and policymakers as we offer up powerful approaches for land rematriation and restoration of brownfields in this time of climate chaos and environmental upheaval.”

Tune in on April 17 for the premiere, and every two weeks for subsequent episodes, and get the discussion going around brownfields and the vast possibilities they provide to changemakers and their communities. Prominent guests include:

  • Francisco Uviña Contreras, Professor/Director, Historic Preservation and Regionalism, UNM, a world-renowned authority on earth building materials and historic preservation
  • Anthony Fettes, Professor, Landscape Architecture, UNM
  • Carl Slater, Navajo Nation Council Delegate
  • Kayla Jackson, Navajo Nation, Professional Photographer
  • Carol “Oxie” Oliver, Environmental Coordinator, Golovin, Alaska

LISTEN TO THE SERES TRAILER HERE

PODCAST EPISODE SCHEDULE:

  • April 17 - Introduction to worldview and methods of iD+Pi’s Indigenous design and planning
  • May 1 - Round Rock, Navajo Community Case Study Part 1 - iD+Pi’s response to a community dealing with the devastating loss of a historic trading post to fire
  • May 15 - Round Rock, Navajo Community Case Study Part 2 - More of iD+Pi’s approach to developing recommendations for the community and response from local Navajo Council Delegate Carl Slater and local community member Kayla Jackson
  • May 29 - Introduction to Golovin, Alaska Case Study Part 1 - Audience members are invited to engage iD+Pi’s P.L.A.C.E.S. methodology as we listen to Golovin Environmental Coordinator Carol “Oxie” Oliver describe Golovin’s strengths, challenges, and backstory
  • June 12 - Golovin, Alaska Case Study Part 2 - Dr. Ted Jojola and UNM’s landscape faculty Tony Fettes discuss their approach to supporting Golovin village as residents envision a multigenerational approach to solutions
  • June 26 - An exploration of how Indigenous nations rematriated severely contaminated land in Oklahoma City to create the First Americans Museum
About the Indigenous Design + Planning Institute

The Indigenous Design and Planning Institute (iD+Pi) was created in 2012 at the School of Architecture + Planning at The University of New Mexico. Its mission is to use culture and identity to inform community development by using a Seven Generations model to understand the impacts of change.

Indigenous planning is a process that engages the community to reimagine future growth and development using culturally responsive and value-based approaches. Together, they provide the foundation for PlaceKnowing—a collective approach to building and maintaining a deeper connection to the past, present, and future through a sense of place. Traditional places are rooted in traditional knowledge and meaning. PlaceKnowing builds its connection through kinship and belonging.

iD+Pi provides technical assistance to Indigenous communities through interdisciplinary studios, seminars, and student practicums. The learning-based process integrates techniques that are participatory and culturally responsive. It is informed by local knowledge, tribal customs, and indigenous community values. It also provides workshops among tribal community leaders and staff designed to educate and build local capacity on the role of design and planning in community development.

About Kansas State University’s TAB/Tribal TAB Programs

KSU Technical Assistance to Brownfields (TAB) and Tribal TAB programs educate, assist, and empower communities and tribes in reaching their revitalization goals through the redevelopment of brownfields. The technical assistance provided by both TAB and Tribal TAB are available at no cost and have been funded by the EPA to provide this assistance. The KSU TAB program supports cities, nonprofits, and Tribal organizations in EPA Regions 5, 6, 7, and 8 that are redeveloping brownfields, helping to guide local and tribal governments through the brownfields redevelopment process, using custom-selected teams of experts to address site-specific needs. KSU TAB also provides nationally available online tools to create site inventories and to write competitive brownfields grant proposals for EPA funding.

The Tribal Technical Assistance to Brownfields (Tribal TAB) program is a collaborative partnership between KSU, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), and Northern Arizona University’s Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP). Tribal TAB supports Indigenous communities in protecting and restoring sacred lands and accomplishing revitalization goals through the reuse, restoration, or redevelopment of brownfields. By providing collaborative, culturally-informed assistance and resources, practical tools, and a meaningful network of peers, mentors, and subject-matter experts, Tribal TAB equips Tribal Nations and tribal entities to address brownfields, build strong Tribal Response Programs, and enhance self-governance opportunities, while protecting and preserving the local environment.

About The Aunties Dandelion Inc.

The Aunties Dandelion is an Indigenous-led media organization focused on revitalizing communities through stories of the natural world, original languages, Indigenous art and lifeways, and connections with each other.

CONTACT
Michaela Paulette Shirley
idpi@unm.edu
505.277.4493