Drowned Landscape: An Architectural Reflection Upon Indigenous Sensibilities in Curve Lake First Nation

This thesis aims to develop an architectural design for the Curve Lake First Nation, which articulates the Anishnaabe sensibilities and encourages the longevity and strengthening of traditional cultural values. Curve Lake First Nation, a peninsula located in Southern Ontario, is home to the Mississauga of the Anishnaabeg nation. After the Federal Government's flooding of Curve Lake for the Trent-Severn Waterway in 1844 and 1908 the community faced devastating impacts to the local ecosystem and the loss of 700 acres of their land. This proposal aims to make use of the drowned land through water treatment, education, and storytelling with the emphasis upon landscape experience, providing the opportunity to facilitate land-based learning practices, encouraging the resurgence of cultural traditions, and outlooks. This thesis asks, how does one create an architectural connection with the land and place whilst respecting the inherent Indigenous sensibilities?