11 Sep Reanna Merasty – Number Ten Architectural Group

Reanna Merasty is an architectural intern at Number Ten Architectural Group based in Treaty 1 Territory. She is a Nîhithaw (Woodlands Cree) artist, writer, and educator from Barren Lands First Nation. Reanna received a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Manitoba. Reanna dedicates her work to amplifying Indigenous voices, community engagement, and land-based pedagogies in architecture. She has professional experience working on many Indigenous client-based projects, including Elder’s facilities, residential, education, sports and recreation, multi-use, and commercial architecture.

Reanna continuously advocates for Indigenous inclusion and representation in design education and is committed to empowering Indigenous communities and youth. She is Chair of the Welcoming Winnipeg Committee, a board member of the local design advocacy organization, Storefront Manitoba, and the Manitoba Regional Director of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada Board of Directors, where she is also a member of the Indigenous Task Force and Climate Action Plan Steering Committee. Through this advocacy work, Reanna was recognized by CBC Manitoba with a Future 40 Award and named the 2023 Youth-First Nations Laureate with the Indspire Awards, which is considered the highest honor Indigenous people bestow upon its own people.