MICHAEL MCMAHON In my experience, First Nations-led engagement in the industry is increasingly common. Craig, I’d love to know how you’ve seen First Nations engagement change over the course of your career?
CRAIG KERSLAKE Well, that’s a substantial period, I’m afraid to say! I went to two universities and I was the token Indigenous person in the course. People thought I was a bit of a freak ... because I wanted to talk about Indigenous design narratives. I remember feeling quite isolated.
Nowadays, we are talking frequently about narratives, community, neighbourhoods, sustainability and being with nature – belonging to Country – and people are realizing that this is all part of First Nations culture. I think it’s an exciting time for us to be in architecture.
First Nations applied knowledges in design has been growing exponentially. And it is a huge demand – you could say a burden – on First Nations people
