Eladia Smoke | KaaSheGaaBaaWeak has been named a fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), which comes with an induction into the RAIC College.
Smoke, a member of the the Obishikokaang | Lac Seul First Nation in northwestern Ontario, is one of 29 architects selected to receive the honour in 2022.
According to the RAIC, a fellow is “a member of the RAIC who has achieved professional eminence or has rendered distinctive service to the profession or to the community at large.
“Fellowship is bestowed upon individuals through a nomination process administered by the RAIC College and recognizes members for their contribution to research, scholarship, public service, or professional standing to the good of architecture in Canada, or elsewhere.”
Founded in 1907, the RAIC is the national, not-for-profit body representing architects and their industry.
Smoke, who is currently based in Hamilton, is the owner and principal architect at Smoke Architecture, which she founded in 2014, and is a Master Lecturer at the McEwen School of Architecture in Sudbury.
Some of her past projects include the Aboriginal People’s Television Network studios, Migiizi Agamik Aboriginal Student Centre at University of Manitoba, and Makoonsag Intergenerational Learning Centre.
Previously, Smoke was the principal architect at Architecture 49 in Thunder Bay and Prairie Architects in Winnipeg, and has served on the RAIC’s Indigenous Task Force since its inception in 2015.
Additionally, Smoke sat on the international team of Indigenous designers and architects, led by Douglas Cardinal, to represent Canada at the 2018 Venice Biennale.
She has participated on numerous committees and boards, including the Manitoba Association of Architects (2011-2014), and the Urban Shaman Gallery of Contemporary Aboriginal Art (2010-2014).
Fellows will be inducted to the RAIC College during a ceremony in St. Andrews, NB, in October.
