The University of British Columbia is hosting a march today beginning outside the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. The event is part of UBC?s commemoration of Orange Shirt Day and National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
The choice of IRSHDC building as the starting point reflects the dignity and knowledge that the building has brought to the community. The day and the event are especially resonant for the building?s architect, Alfred Waugh, principal of Formline Architecture.?This building is embedded with symbolism and was created from the input from survivors from the Musqueam nation and my passion to serve Indigenous people in the journey of reconciliation and reestablishment of pride in our people,? observed Waugh in an email to Canadian Architect on the eve of the march. ?It stands proud in its setting at the heart of knowledge between two libraries at UBC, as a permanent reminder of us Indigenous people and what we have gone through, and to shine a light to the future regaining our pride and identity.? Architect Alfred Waugh , Founder of Formline Architecture in Vancouver. Photo credit: Carl Kwan
Waugh is one of Maclean?s 2021 Power List of 50 Canadians breaking ground, leading debate ,and shaping how we think and live. The intention, challenge and purpose of Waugh?s design is ?honouring the survivors and the generations of families affected by this traumatic part of Canadian history??including his own mother, he noted. ?I wish my mother was he...