Architect of the Future
An Anishinaabe raised in Blackfoot territory, architect Douglas Cardinal’s curvilinear vision has produced instantly-recognizable monuments to Indigenous culture in the national capitals of both Canada and the United States. The film reveals how his Anishinaabe culture and Indigenous worldview fuel his creative genius. The film, written by his wife, Idoia and produced by Douglas Cardinal features his friend, world-renowned artist, Alex Janvier and their pledge to change Canada’s colonialism through their art.
Born in 1934 and raised in Blackfoot territory, Douglas Cardinal’s architectural studies took him to Austin, Texas, where he achieved his degree and was first exposed to the Civil Rights and Indingeous Rights Movements. Douglas then became a forerunner of philosophies of sustainability, green buildings and ecologically designed community planning. His architecture springs from his observation of Nature and its understanding that everything works seamlessly together.
In recognition of such work, Douglas Cardinal has received many national and international awards including: 19 Honorary Doctorates, Gold Medals of Architecture in Canada and Russia, and an award from United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO). He was given the declaration of being “World Master of Contemporary Architecture” by the International Association of Architects.
Idoia Arana-Beobide is an Euskalduna, a Basque, living in Ottawa (Canada). She was raised with strong Euskaldun traditional values that included learning ancient Basque belief systems and contemporary Catholicism. Idoia has a passion for understanding the source and adaptability of art and culture, which allows her to study the principles of such creative processes. Idoia is working and living with her Anishinabe husband, the world famous architect Douglas Cardinal, and she has also been instrumental in the visioning, planning and executing of many indigenous and cultural projects. These include the Canadian Museum of History in Canada, the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC, the Cree-Cultural Institute and village of Ouje-Bougamou in Quebec, Menoyawin Health Centre in Sioux Lookout, Wabano Aboriginal Health Centre, the Oneida Casino-Hotel in New York, The Discovery Park in Tennessee, The National Museum of Ethnicities in Beijing, and the Victoria Island Cultural Center in Ottawa. She is also the owner of Douglas Cardinal Housing Corporation, which is an enterprise that delivers beautiful solid wood manufactured homes. Furthering the values of the Etxea (The House), Idoia continues her studies regarding the principles of Matriarchy and the re-emergence of indigenous feminine power values in the 21st century.
Adam Gualtieri is a filmmaker from Northern Ontario and recent graduate from Ryerson University’s Media Production program. Adam has dedicated much of his blossoming journey in documentary filmmaking to the Indigenous community. With an added emphasis on cinematography and editing, Gualtieri was most recently nationally recognized for his interactive documentary exhibit, Shades of Our Sisters. The exhibit highlights the lives, rather than the deaths, of two missing and murdered Indigenous women.
4 Seasons of Reconciliation is a multi-media online publishing site that promotes a renewed relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians, through transformative multi-media learning portals. This educational initiative, developed for secondary, post-secondary and the workplace incorporates teacher guides, slideshows, videos and award-winning films through its online learning portals.
As an ally-settler, Andree Cazabon made a personal and professional 10-year commitment to reconciliation in 2007. She works under the vision, guidance and direction of Indigenous Peoples in all her projects. With the collaboration and guidance of First Nations University of Canada and NCCIE, this 4-part series on reconciliation is a continuation of her commitment.
As a Gemini nominee, Andrée Cazabon’s films have amassed over 1 million viewers on CBC-Newsworld, TVA, Canal D, Radio-Canada, and CBC Television. A member of the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and Documentary Organization of Canada, she is the founder and CEO of Productions Cazabon, an award-winning bilingual film and television production company based in Toronto, Canada, with a satellite office in Regina, Saskatchewan. 2019 marks the twelfth year of her professional and personal commitment to reconciliation since her film, ‘3rd World Canada’. Rideau Hall acknowledged her service to reconciliation by awarding her the Meritorious Service Decorations – Civil Division. Andrée Cazabon is a fifth-generation francophone from the Ottawa region.
President / Founder
Productions Cazabon
