As technology has evolved over time and the U.S. population increases each year, this thesis focuses on the ways in which food production has shifted from the original farm to table to industrialized, processed food systems. Through a rationalization perspective, this research looks to the history and repercussions of industrial agriculture as it has shifted over time. The term over-industrialization is used to operationalize the state of our current production methods. These methods focus extensively on the least expensive and most rapid methods to produce large yields of food products and pay no mind to ethics, respect of culture, land, or quality of products. Today, there is a shroud the corporations have placed over food production to ensure a “what we can’t see doesn’t affect us” belief system. In this way, the thesis provides insight on past, current, and future methods of manufacturing. I conclude that although plausible alternatives are present, continued research and substantial producer and consumer changes must be our main priority.

Given the lack of research regarding designing culturally relevant housing for the Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Tribe, this study aimed to identify and evaluate key architectural design approaches that support Sault Ste. Marie Native culture. Key research questions guided the theoretical framework of the study, as well as the analysis of the final results. The questions include “What architectural design strategies have been used in the design of contemporary Native American Architecture in which the communities have key similarities or cultural overlap with the Sault Ste. Marie Indians?”, “How effective are each of these strategies and approaches in supporting these cultures and community needs?”, and “What are the strengths and weaknesses of each of these strategies in the context of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians’ culture and needs?”. In-depth literature and historical reviews were conducted to provide design principles and a basis for a housing architectural guideline for the Sault Tribe. A survey approved by the Institutional Review Board and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians was then conducted to collect data on tribal members’ demographics, views on culturally relevant design, and level of agreement with the proposed guideline points. Key survey results showed that tribal members felt low levels of connection to the Sault Tribe and agreed that a design guideline was necessary for future tribal housing. Furthermore, the results of the survey showed a high level of agreement with the proposed principles relating to sustainability, spatial planning, and building technology. Results also showed tribal members’ disagreements with several of the proposed guideline points, which further supported the need for a tribal-specific architectural design guideline rather than one general to all tribes. Based on the survey results the proposed design points were then organized into a tribal-specific final design guideline. Housing designs for the Sault Tribe were then created using the guideline, within the context of a reservation site in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and the current needs of tribal members. The housing designs serve as visual examples of the applicability of the guideline. The survey data, final guideline, and design examples will be significant resources for developing the Sault Tribes' urban environment and promoting cultural practice and survivance. The research will also contribute to the body of knowledge relating to contemporary Indigenous architecture.

When you see someone who looks like you or sounds like you in a major magazine, film, or book, how does it really make you feel? Do you feel liberated? Do you feel seen and validated? Or perhaps you read a negative article or comment about your people that are solely based on stereotypes, would you feel ashamed or saddened by your thought processes following the comments made about you, from individuals who don’t even know you? Does this affect the way you look at yourself or present yourself to the world as a result? And if so, how? This creative project is a self-journey of analyzing the various ways my self-esteem has fluctuated in response to different types of representations or topics related to Indigenous peoples over the course of ten weeks. It consists of multiple vulnerable reflection essays and curation of 85+ Tik Tok videos in an attempt to answer why representation matters, how it matters, and what is our personal role in it from an Indigenous perspective.