Indian Country Today, by Konnie LeMay, Today Correspondent

DULUT H, Minn. – For more than 40 years, DSGW Architects in Duluth has worked with 15 Indian communities in four states on projects ranging
from community centers to clinics to casinos. But this year, the firm – with the mission of “enriching communities through architecture” – expanded its commitment to serving tribal interests by creating its First American Design Studio, headed by an Ojibwe designer.

Michael Laverdure of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota joined the firm in 2008. Partner Randy Wagner is working with and mentoring Laverdure on projects designed by the studio.

Laverdure joined DSGW about a year after he had competed against the firm for a project at the Peter Christensen Health Clinic on the Lac du Flambeau Band of Ojibwe Reservation, where his sister, Dr. Adrienne Laverdure, works. DSGW won the contract. Laverdure chuckled as he recalled his sister recommending, “You should call those guys that kicked your butt.” He did just that; turns out DSGW was looking for the kind of expertise Laverdure could bring, and for the opportunity to organize an American Indianfocused studio.

A job with the firm gave Laverdure the chance to do culturally meaningful designs and to advance professionally. “Most of the work has been
with community-based projects,” said John Scott, a DSGW partner, of its involvement with tribes. “They know we are going to listen first as we plan the overall approach for a successful project.”

Before moving to DSGW, Laverdure said the firm where he had worked decided not to pursue tribal contracts. “If you don’t know how to work with tribes, it’s hard to do,” he said of the complications when working on tribal/federal projects or of taking the time to listen to all local parties involved. Laverdure said working with tribes was “exactly what I wanted to do.” His career choice reflected the teachings of his mother, well-known tribal Judge Betty Laverdure. “She said, ‘You always have to think of others before you think of yourself.’”

Laverdure graduated in 1996 from North Dakota State University’s college of Architecture and also attended Turtle Mountain Tribal College. He
is finishing his architectural registration examinations and hopes he will be licensed before the end of the year. He recently passed his Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation.

When approaching a project, he tries to bring the core philosophy of the local culture into what function the building will serve. Painting tribal symbols does not make it a “culturally-based” building. He also understands his Ojibwe traditions are not the traditions in other tribal communities. “I’m Ojibwe, but I’m not going to come and tell you what I know. I want to immerse myself. … so people can learn their culture through their building. I want our buildings to become elders. I want the building to create an environment of subsistence which will help sustain their culture.”

Wagner said adding Laverdure and the new studio has brought the company opportunities to encourage more Native Americans to enter the
architectural field – both by hiring local tribal employees on projects and by creating a place to have Native Americans intern in the future.
Laverdure hopes First American Design Studio influences future generations. It can be a way to retain practical knowledge and teach others how to work with Native American clients, he said, adding that the problem with many Indian-owned firms is they often are in business for
only one generation. “As the owner retires, typically that firm shuts its doors and all that knowledge is lost. Creation of the First American
Design Studio will allow for a long term sustainable approach towards helping (Native American) communities.”

Among a few of DSGW past designs are the Bois Forte (Ojibwe) Cultural Museum and the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Since thefirm created the First American Design Studio, it’s working on designs for an American Indian Learning Resource Center on the University of Minnesota-Duluth campus, an addition and renovation of the Spirit Lake Casino owned by the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota, a health and wellness center for the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a Lac du Flambeau health and dental center, both in Wisconsin, and the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Post Office in New Mexico.

Laverdure doesn’t work exclusively on tribal projects; he’s also worked with the Duluth School District. For him, it all comes down to his mother’s teaching. “It’s a way to help others through architecture.”