Confederation College’s Anwebiiwining Receives National Design Award

THUNDER BAY, ON – Confederation College’s Anwebiiwining has received a 2026 Award of Excellence from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA) in the Small-Scale Public Landscapes category, recognizing the project’s collaborative and Indigenous-centred approach to design.

Located at the Thunder Bay campus, Anwebiiwining is an outdoor gathering and learning space designed to support Indigenous-led, land-based learning while creating opportunities for reflection, teaching, ceremony, and community connection. The project was developed through collaboration between Confederation College, Indigenous leaders and knowledge keepers, Architecture49, and community and industry partners.

The national recognition highlights the project’s intentional design process, which centred Indigenous voices, honoured the land, and created a welcoming gathering space for students, staff, and the broader community.

“Anwebiiwining grew from collaboration, a deep respect of the land it was to be built on and appreciation of the purpose of the space,” said Robin Gould, Director of Facilities Services at Confederation College. “This award from the CSLA reflects the dedication of everyone involved in creating a welcoming environment that supports Indigenous-led learning and connection on our campus. We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Bhavana Bonde and Architecture49 on this recognition.”

The space incorporates natural materials, Indigenous plantings, and circular gathering areas intended to encourage learning, storytelling, and community engagement. The design aligns with Confederation College’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation, advancing Indigenous Learning Outcomes for all students, and creating spaces that reflect the cultures and communities the College serves.

“Anwebiiwining represents what can happen when Indigenous voices, knowledge and ways of learning are centred from the beginning of a project,” said Wendy Landry, Vice President, Indigenous Relations at Confederation College. “This space reflects our commitment to creating environments where Indigenous students, communities and cultures are honoured and celebrated. It is a place for learning, connection, reflection and ceremony, and we are proud to see that vision recognized on a national stage.”

Confederation College also recognizes the many contributors who helped bring the Anwebiiwining vision to life, including Indigenous leaders and knowledge keepers, Architecture49, community partners, and industry supporters who contributed through planning, design, construction, and consultation.

The CSLA Awards of Excellence celebrate outstanding achievements in landscape architecture from across Canada. The award was formally presented during the CSLA Congress in Halifax on June 6.

Learn more about Anwebiiwining at Confederation College: https://www.confederationcollege.ca/campuses/thunder-bay/anwebiiwining

Learn more about the CSLA Award of Excellence recipients: https://www.csla-aapc.ca/awards-atlas/anwebiiwining

View the project profile from Architecture49: https://architecture49.com/en/portfolio/projects/anwebiiwining-indigenous-outdoor-learning-environment/

Photos: Architecture 49 & Confederation College