July 28, 2021
The Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada is pleased to announce that James K. Bird, a member of the Dënesųłiné First Nation in the Northwest Territories, has accepted an invitation to join its advisory board. Mr. Bird is pursuing advanced architectural studies at the University of Toronto. On accepting the appointment he said, “I hope with my involvement the Institute moves to a future in Canada where all citizens understand the relevance of Treaty and Crown relations. As a treaty person, I have great hope for our new Governor General. The Institute has now, more than ever, become an important entity bridging understanding between her office, treaty, and the relevance of the function of the Crown in Canada.”
James Bird, MRAIC (Toronto)
James K. Bird is a member of the Dënesųłiné Nation and is affiliated with the Northwest Territories Métis Nation. After completing a master’s degree in architecture at the University of Toronto, he is transitioning into a PhD program in architecture.
His current work examines the intersection between Indigenous languages and shape forming using parametrics and algorithms. This research was supported in part by a Social Science and Humanities Research Council grant for research in linguistics and architecture in the Dene language. James has received several academic awards and national awards: the Prideaux Award for Science and Architecture, University College Merit Award, the Gordon Cressy Award, the Dr. Lillian McGregor Indigenous Award for Excellence, and the President’s Award. He is a Fellow at Massey College.
James has been equally active outside academia. He is a Member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Indigenous Task Force on Architecture. James was proud to be part of the Canadian team that won the 2018 Venice Architectural Biennale, a team headed by world-renowned Indigenous architect Douglas Cardinal and 18 other Indigenous architects.