March 2026, the Canadian Architecture Students Association (CASA-ACÉA) is honoured to present CAFÉ Indigenous Knowledge and Design at the University of Toronto, Dalhousie University, McGill University, University of Manitoba and Toronto Metropolitan University. The series of events will bring vital Canadian conversations to the forefront. They promise to be an important moment in highlighting important local Indigenous voices and bringing meaningful perspectives to students across the nation.

CASA-ACÉA is an independent, non-profit, bilingual, and student-led organization. Our mission is to connect and advocate for the community of architecture students across Canada by supporting, promoting, and profiling student success. In shaping this next set of forums, CASA-ACÉA has selected the theme and is curating the conversations for the coming forums, in consultation with influential Indigenous voices in architecture across Canada.

Halifax – Keynote – March 5: Ralph M. Medjuck Building, Dalhousie University, School of Architecture, Main Auditorium, 7:00 PM.

Winnipeg – Keynote – March 10: John A. Russell Building, Faculty of Architecture, University of Manitoba, Centre Space, 6:30 PM.

Montreal – Keynote – March (TBA): Peter Guo-hua Fu School of Architecture, McGill University.

Toronto – Exhibit – March 9-13: Learning from the Land: Indigenous-Led Design at DAS, Department of Architectural Science, Toronto Metropolitan University, Upper Atrium.

Toronto – Keynote – March 20: John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design, University of Toronto, Main Hall, 6:00 PM.

For tickets to any of the keynote events, click here.

CAFÉ 2026

CAFÉ Indigenous Knowledge and Design is a pivotal initiative as part of the Canadian Architecture Forums on Education (CAFÉ), an outreach project launched in 2019 by Dr. Lisa Landrum to discuss and debate the role of architectural education and research in shaping Canada’s future. Previous CAFÉ forums addressed national themes, including Architecture Policy for Canada (2019–2020), Equity in Architecture (2022) and CAFÉ Housing (2025). CAFÉ 2026 builds on this legacy by centring Indigenous knowledge and design within architectural education across Canada. Through a national series of forums, CAFÉ 2026 creates space for critical dialogue that centres Indigenous knowledge and student voices within architectural education.

Indigenous Knowledge and Design

CAFÉ 2026 responds to the need for stronger representation of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives within architectural education. Canada’s built environment continues to be shaped by colonial systems that have historically overlooked Indigenous ways of knowing, land stewardship, and place-based design. Through a national platform bringing together Indigenous architects, educators, and knowledge keepers, CAFÉ 2026 creates space for reflection, dialogue, and learning, supporting meaningful conversations on Indigenous-led design and practice within the Canadian architectural context.

Contributing to CAFÉ 2026

Please consider contributing to increase your business’s presence and to support future architecture professionals across Canada through non-profit sponsorship opportunities.

The four keynote events will also be available online for anyone across Canada. Registration is required for all keynote events. To stay updated about tickets and speaker announcements, visit @casa.acea on Instagram.

For more information, visit CAFÉ 2026 and @casa.acea on Instagram.

Link to tickets here. See you at the forums!