Episode 04: With Sierra Tasi Baker: on happiness and Indigenizing design

“The language we speak is the language of the land.”

In this conversation, Sierra Tasi Baker, Lead Design Consultant at Sky Spirit Studio, talks about finding happiness in her identity while living on the unceded territory of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Sníchim speaking peoples of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) (MST) peoples, otherwise known as Vancouver. In exploring the topic of happiness, Sierra reflects on the ways in which spatial designers can have a decolonized design practice. She shares her vision of MST futurism and sovereignty. Sierra has also coined the concept of Etiological Design; a design process which centers Indigenous historical systems of storytelling and memory keeping. Inviting storytelling into the design process allows for designs that can truly reflect and honour the stories and the people whom originate from the land.

Soundtrack: Under the sun | Singer and Songwriter : Kafayé | Production : Aux Zenith ( Kiga & Saint Jean)