Rematriate the Land: Our Obligations to Truth and Healing - 1.25 PDH (LA CES/HSW)

Recorded On: 10/06/2024

Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge comprises foundational systems relating directly to the practice of cultural activities grounded by human interaction with the land and each other. Our obligations as landscape architects should be to facilitate the restoration and protection of cultural places while working to return Indigenous access to these lands.

Learning objectives:

Recognize why Indigenous communities are critical partners for biodiversity, resilience, and climate adaptation projects.
Promote strategies, policies, and partnerships for co-stewardship of public and private lands.
Understand how Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge is transferred, and how it is inseparable from the people and their culture, language, and spiritual identity.
Acknowledge how Indigenous peoples' connection to land contributes to their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and how landscape architects can develop more culturally safe and meaningful environments.

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.

Kenwani'cahee Kravitz, MLS

Native Nations Liaison

Southern Oregon University

Kenwanicahee Kravitz, MLS Native Nations Liaison, Southern Oregon University
Mrs. Kravitz is a Tribal advocate with a deep personal understanding of Tribal community, culture and protocols. She is an enrolled member of the Pit River Nation and also descends from the Northern Wintu people. She holds a Master of Legal Studies with emphasis in Federal Indian Law and Tribal Self Governance from ASU, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law and a BA in Native Studies Leadership from Northwest Indian College. Her advocacy background grew out of a deep desire to effect change and address the issues impacting her Tribal community.

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.