Indigenous Right Relations: Design Alignment Through Cultural Humility
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Design is more than shaping places; it is about shaping relationships. Every project leaves an imprint on the land, on communities, and on future generations.
Cultural humility is the discipline of approaching that responsibility with curiosity instead of certainty, reciprocity instead of extraction, and accountability instead of intention.
Through this four-part webinar series, landscape architects are invited not simply to learn about Indigenous Peoples, but to transform how they practice in service of healthier lands, stronger communities, and enduring right relations.
Framework
Rather than presenting cultural awareness as a checklist, this webinar series will frame cultural humility as an ongoing professional practice change that transforms how landscape architects listen, build relationships, make informed decisions, and help steward land through co-creation.
Based on the philosophy of MIG's Native Nation Building Studio—design is relationship, planning is healing, and landscape architecture is an act of reciprocity—the series will center Indigenous leadership, trauma-informed engagement, inherent Indigenous sovereignty, and accountability rather than simply providing historical information.
Theme
Creating landscapes that heal communities through practice that understand relationships, not projects, as the foundation of lasting change for future generations.
The overall webinar series progression will be from awareness to understanding to reflection to practice, highlighting that cultural humility is never ending, and something that needs to become part of our professional practice.
Series Outcome
By the conclusion of the four-part series, participants should be able to:
- Explain why cultural humility is an ethical obligation in landscape architecture.
- Differentiate consultation, engagement, collaboration, and co-creation.
- Understand why relationship building is important part of our work.
- Apply trauma-informed principles to community engagement.
- Recognize Inherent Indigenous sovereignty and Indigenous self-determination as essential planning contexts.
- Integrate Indigenous knowledge respectfully through relationship rather than extraction.
- Evaluate projects using cultural humility indicators rather than relying solely on technical metrics.
- Develop a personal and organizational roadmap for practicing cultural humility over time.
This framing aligns with ASLA’s commitments to climate action, environmental justice, and ethical practice while contributing to healing people, place and relationships grounding in respect, reciprocity, and Indigenous leadership.
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Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 07/28/2026 at 3:00 PM (EDT)
Understand why cultural humility differs from cultural competency and begin reflecting on personal and professional assumptions. Recognize Native Nations as living sovereign governments rather than historical cultures and the limitations of conventional community engagement. Learn how changing the way we see can change the role of landscape architecture in shaping relationships, not just spaces.
Understand why cultural humility differs from cultural competency and begin reflecting on personal and professional assumptions. Recognize Native Nations as living sovereign governments rather than historical cultures and the limitations of conventional community engagement. Learn how changing the way we see can change the role of landscape architecture in shaping relationships, not just spaces.
Learning objectives:
- Explain why cultural humility is an ethical obligation in landscape architecture.
- Understand land as a living system and not just a project site.
- Recognize inherent Indigenous sovereignty and Indigenous self-determination as essential planning contexts.
José de Jesús Leal Loera, FASLA, PLA
Principal and Native Nation Building Studio Director
MIG, Inc.
José de Jesús Leal Loera is a truth teller, landscape architect, and bridge-builder who believes laughter is good medicine. A lifelong student of land and culture, his work is grounded in humility and spiritual awareness. As Co-Founder and Director of the Native Nation Building Studio at MIG, he advances Indigenous self-determination through sovereignty-forward planning and culturally responsive design. José partners with Native Nations to support community capacity, climate resilience, and cultural resurgence. Through his presentations and practice, he positions landscape architecture as a vehicle for healing, restoration, and collective transformation rooted in truth and relationships.
Paul Fragua (Pueblo of Jemez), Affil. ASLA
Elder-In-Residence and Director of Native Nations Strategy and Relations
MIG, Inc.
Paul Fragua is a firekeeper, runner, architect, and cultural interpreter who has dedicated his life to keeping the fires of Indigenous inherent sovereignty and self-determination burning. A cord between cultures and communities, he is known for bringing visibility to the invisible and translating Indigenous values into meaningful action. With more than four decades of experience, Paul specializes in strategic planning, master planning, resource development, and technical assistance that strengthens Native Nations and Indigenous communities. His work has earned the respect of Tribal leaders, federal agencies, philanthropic organizations, and community partners alike. Through his practice, mentorship, and advocacy, Paul advances Indigenous leadership, cultural continuity, and community resilience with wisdom, humility, and a deep commitment to future generations.
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Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 08/18/2026 at 3:00 PM (EDT)
Indigenous engagement begins long before the first meeting. Understand historical and intergenerational trauma and how Indigenous land histories and dispossession shape present-day conditions to recognize behaviors that build trust.
Indigenous engagement begins long before the first meeting. Understand historical and intergenerational trauma and how Indigenous land histories and dispossession shape present-day conditions to recognize behaviors that build trust.
Learning objectives:
- Understand why relationship building is important part of our work.
- Apply trauma-informed principles to community engagement.
- Learn about Indigenous land histories and dispassion and how history has shaped present-day conditions.
José de Jesús Leal Loera, FASLA, PLA
Principal and Native Nation Building Studio Director
MIG, Inc.
José de Jesús Leal Loera is a truth teller, landscape architect, and bridge-builder who believes laughter is good medicine. A lifelong student of land and culture, his work is grounded in humility and spiritual awareness. As Co-Founder and Director of the Native Nation Building Studio at MIG, he advances Indigenous self-determination through sovereignty-forward planning and culturally responsive design. José partners with Native Nations to support community capacity, climate resilience, and cultural resurgence. Through his presentations and practice, he positions landscape architecture as a vehicle for healing, restoration, and collective transformation rooted in truth and relationships.
Paul Fragua (Pueblo of Jemez), Affil. ASLA
Elder-In-Residence and Director of Native Nations Strategy and Relations
MIG, Inc.
Paul Fragua is a firekeeper, runner, architect, and cultural interpreter who has dedicated his life to keeping the fires of Indigenous inherent sovereignty and self-determination burning. A cord between cultures and communities, he is known for bringing visibility to the invisible and translating Indigenous values into meaningful action. With more than four decades of experience, Paul specializes in strategic planning, master planning, resource development, and technical assistance that strengthens Native Nations and Indigenous communities. His work has earned the respect of Tribal leaders, federal agencies, philanthropic organizations, and community partners alike. Through his practice, mentorship, and advocacy, Paul advances Indigenous leadership, cultural continuity, and community resilience with wisdom, humility, and a deep commitment to future generations.
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Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 09/08/2026 at 3:00 PM (EDT)
Learn when design should lead, and when it should follow. Move beyond transactional engagement by understanding Indigenous co-design and Indigenous knowledge as design intelligence.
Learn when design should lead, and when it should follow. Move beyond transactional engagement by understanding Indigenous co-design and Indigenous knowledge as design intelligence.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the value of Indigenous knowledge and relationship to the people and land.
- Differentiate consultation, engagement, collaboration, and co-creation.
- Learn how to integrate Indigenous knowledge respectfully through relationship rather than extraction.
José de Jesús Leal Loera, FASLA, PLA
Principal and Native Nation Building Studio Director
MIG, Inc.
José de Jesús Leal Loera is a truth teller, landscape architect, and bridge-builder who believes laughter is good medicine. A lifelong student of land and culture, his work is grounded in humility and spiritual awareness. As Co-Founder and Director of the Native Nation Building Studio at MIG, he advances Indigenous self-determination through sovereignty-forward planning and culturally responsive design. José partners with Native Nations to support community capacity, climate resilience, and cultural resurgence. Through his presentations and practice, he positions landscape architecture as a vehicle for healing, restoration, and collective transformation rooted in truth and relationships.
Paul Fragua (Pueblo of Jemez), Affil. ASLA
Elder-In-Residence and Director of Native Nations Strategy and Relations
MIG, Inc.
Paul Fragua is a firekeeper, runner, architect, and cultural interpreter who has dedicated his life to keeping the fires of Indigenous inherent sovereignty and self-determination burning. A cord between cultures and communities, he is known for bringing visibility to the invisible and translating Indigenous values into meaningful action. With more than four decades of experience, Paul specializes in strategic planning, master planning, resource development, and technical assistance that strengthens Native Nations and Indigenous communities. His work has earned the respect of Tribal leaders, federal agencies, philanthropic organizations, and community partners alike. Through his practice, mentorship, and advocacy, Paul advances Indigenous leadership, cultural continuity, and community resilience with wisdom, humility, and a deep commitment to future generations.
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Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits Includes a Live Web Event on 12/01/2026 at 3:00 PM (EST)
Making cultural humility a lifelong practice by connecting to long-term stewardship and ethical obligation to support of change. Learn how landscape architecture can contribute to healing people and land through commitments that last beyond project delivery.
Making cultural humility a lifelong practice by connecting to long-term stewardship and ethical obligation to support of change. Learn how landscape architecture can contribute to healing people and land through commitments that last beyond project delivery.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the importance of making cultural humility an ongoing part of professional practice.
- Evaluate projects using cultural humility indicators rather than relying solely on technical metrics.
- Develop a personal and organizational roadmap for practicing cultural humility over time.
José de Jesús Leal Loera, FASLA, PLA
Principal and Native Nation Building Studio Director
MIG, Inc.
José de Jesús Leal Loera is a truth teller, landscape architect, and bridge-builder who believes laughter is good medicine. A lifelong student of land and culture, his work is grounded in humility and spiritual awareness. As Co-Founder and Director of the Native Nation Building Studio at MIG, he advances Indigenous self-determination through sovereignty-forward planning and culturally responsive design. José partners with Native Nations to support community capacity, climate resilience, and cultural resurgence. Through his presentations and practice, he positions landscape architecture as a vehicle for healing, restoration, and collective transformation rooted in truth and relationships.
Paul Fragua (Pueblo of Jemez), Affil. ASLA
Elder-In-Residence and Director of Native Nations Strategy and Relations
MIG, Inc.
Paul Fragua is a firekeeper, runner, architect, and cultural interpreter who has dedicated his life to keeping the fires of Indigenous inherent sovereignty and self-determination burning. A cord between cultures and communities, he is known for bringing visibility to the invisible and translating Indigenous values into meaningful action. With more than four decades of experience, Paul specializes in strategic planning, master planning, resource development, and technical assistance that strengthens Native Nations and Indigenous communities. His work has earned the respect of Tribal leaders, federal agencies, philanthropic organizations, and community partners alike. Through his practice, mentorship, and advocacy, Paul advances Indigenous leadership, cultural continuity, and community resilience with wisdom, humility, and a deep commitment to future generations.
