b"INDIGENOUS ARCHITECTUREF irst Nations were building onit might be the only one headquartered inFirst Nations agencies and organizations, the land we know as Canada fora First Nations community. Two Row hasuniversities and colleges and other public centuries before this nation wasoffice space in Toronto as well. institutions, and private clients. even an idea. They have been doing it in a very distinctive way In the early days, Two Row did a lot ofOne thing that strikes the viewer is that drawing on natural materials and buildingconstruction management work, a tediouswhile the use of natural materials is front inventive, adaptive structures that respectprocess of managing multiple projectand centre in Two Rows work, the style the physical and animate aspects of thecontracts that Porter said left staff burnedof that work varies from one project to natural world while reflecting the symbolsout. But over the years the firm has transi- another. The goal of most architecture and spirituality of the builders. tioned to its own projects, independentlyfirms is to try to develop a house style that Eventually, of course, that approachdone and in collaboration with other prac- viewers will immediately recognize as a was challenged by architectural normstices. Today, the Two Row portfolio is aproduct of that practice and no one else. imported by European colonists, whoseshowcase of beautifully designed workBut the diversity of Two Rows work reveals way of building is very much the domi- for clients in Canada and the U.S., fora markedly different approach.nant mode of architecture throughout the Americas today.At long last, that paradigm is changing. Driven in large part by growing aware-ness of the need to stop and reverse the damage done to the planet by human activity, an alternative mode of architec-ture is bringing Indigenous approaches into the architectural mainstream. One of the prime exemplars of this new approach is Two Row Architect. Based in the Six Nations community in southern Ontario, Two Row is one of a growing number of Indigenous-owned architec-ture studios across Canada. The firm got its start in 1992, founded by current CEO Brian Porter, a member of the Oneida First Nation, along with five partners. Two years later, Porter bought out the partners to become sole proprietor. When he started the practice, Porter was consciously drawing on his previous years working for the regional Ontario office of what was then the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, and later for Public Works Canada. My job at Indian Affairs was to review proposals for projects that came in. I got to see how firms putBUILDING TO POSTERITYproposals together and I went to meet-ings with Chiefs in Council where projectAt NB Bennys Contracting, we deliver safe, high-quality service and support that managers were reviewing them. I got tofocuses on the activities essential to productivity since 2007.see how they scored and ranked things, Porter says.We are continually seeking areas of growth and constantly adopting new equipment and improving quality to meet the ever-changing needs and requirements of our customers. At NB Bennys, we proactively implement new practices to improve the efficiency and safety of our Today, Porter jokes that he was workingservice while reducing the environmental impact. as a spy, learning whatever he could withWe have a long tradition of being driven for results, which improves the cost effectiveness, the intention of starting his own practiceefficiency, safety and environmental impact of our operations. Recognizing that today's construction challenges are unpredictable in nature and significantly impact our customers when he thought hed be able to secureoperations, we develop partnerships that deliver functional solutions, enable high performance, work. He obviously chose his moment well.and maintain safety as a value we hold paramount.Today, Two Row Architect has 15 full-timeNBB is committed to conducting our business in a manner that safeguards our employees, employees, plus seasonal student interns,customers, community neighbours, suppliers and the environment in which we operate. NBB will and is 100-per-cent Indigenous-owned.continue to meet or exceed all applicable Health, Safety and Environmental laws and regulations.While its not the only all-Indigenous archi- nbbennys.comtecture practice in the country, Porter thinks Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT99"