North of 60: Architecture, Place and Identity
Principal Investigator: Bender, Emilee (1)
Licence Number: 13891
Organization: University of Waterloo, School of Architecture
Licensed Year(s): 2005
Issued: Aug 11, 2005

Project Description: The project will explore how a reconsidered learning environment may better respond to the cultural and educational needs of northern learners. It will include a study of both formal and informal learning environments, traditional building practices, and will also explore how traditional native teachings, ceremonial and ritual spaces, as well as appropriate technologies could be utilized to enhance the contemporary northern learning experience. The study will include community leaders, educational leaders, Aurora College students, and High School students in both Yellowknife and Rae-Edzo. Data collection will include interviews, questionnaires, talking circles, and architectural design sessions. Interviews, talking circles and architectural visioning sessions will be tape recorded to facilitate the collection of information, and later transcribed for analysis. In the initial stages of the research, individual interviews will be undertaken with community and school leaders. Next, questionnaires will be distributed to students in local high schools and at Aurora College, and Talking Circles in each of these locations will be undertaken. The perspectives gained in each of these situations will provide further shape and focus for the culminating architectural visioning and design process. A report will be given to the Aurora Research Institute and interested community groups. The study will be conducted at Yellowknife and Rae-Edzo