Who and what were some big outside influences on your work?

The Researchers and Practitioners of Trauma-Informed Care + Design

While more research is needed to understand how to properly address trauma in all aspects of our society, many dedicated researchers, practitioners, and designers are working to find solutions. And a crucial first step is getting everyone on the same page about the importance of a trauma-informed approach. I owe a great deal of my passion for healing justice to the many indibviduals who helped me to better understand the impacts of trauma during my earlier years working in the social services and education.

For this specific project, I have the following books and authors to thank for the broadening of my understanding of trauma-informed care and design. It is from their work that I pull much of the scientific rigor and practical applications for my trauma-informed design process.

The Scholars of Indigenous Research

As I undertook the shift from a product-focused master’s project to a process-focused one, I found great support and guidance from the following indigenous authors and researchers–specially the following books.

Grounded by the values of an indigenous research paradigm, I was challenged to consider trauma-informed design through a holistic lens. I tried to expand my conceptualization of wellness to include all elements of our human condition, including our relationship to our environment and the plants and animals that also inhabit it. I also practiced relinquishing an anthropocentric perspective on the trauma-informed process. I found this to be quite difficult and I see it as an avenue for continuing research as I move beyond my schooling. I hope to explore the concept of “deep ecology” that was introduced to me through the work of Indigenous author Robin Wall Kimmerer. Perhaps with the support of indigenous leaders or others who are challenging the reductionistic and anthropocentric Western perspective, I can find greater learning to support my aim of developing a holistic and relational trauma-informed design process for my work in landscape design.

In the book Progressive Community Organizing: Transformative Practice in a Globalized World (Pyles, 2021) the author paraphrases the idea of “deep ecology” through the words of indigenous researcher Robin Wall Kimmerer,

“Similar to social con­structionist, postmodern, and Buddhist philosophies, deep ecology maintains that the distinction between self and nature that has been reified by Western philosophy, culture, and institutions is an egregious misconstruction. This divide between self and nature has resulted in the environmental destruction perpetrated by humans onto nature, the sexist domination perpetrated by men onto women, and the settler colonialism carried out by White Europeans onto indigenous people. Deep ecology is rooted in indigenous worldviews based on the ancient and seamless reciprocal relationships between humans and nonhumans.”

— (Kimmerer, 2015)

The Designers for the Unhoused

The following books were influential in understanding the issues surrounding houselessness–specifically in Eugene, OR. In addition to guiding me through the causes and conditions, the authors and their collaborators also provide important resources for conceptualizing more humane and compassionate design alternatives than we currently see most often in our society.

The Professors + Courses of My Elective Curriculum

The following courses were instrumental in my education as a landscape designer, researcher, and community advocate. I am grateful to all of the following professors for providing the opportunity to learn about these important topics as part of my graduate education.

Jennifer O’Neill’s IARC “Indigenous Research Methods” Course

Jean Yang’s LA 508 “Dignified Engagement” Course

Jose Melendez’ PPPM 510 “Community Organizing” Course

Clay Neal’s ARCH 539 “Minimal Dwellings” Course

The Everyone Village Residents

Not all villagers at Everyone Village participated in my master’s project, but some have nonetheless inspired new ideas, activities, and relationships for our garden club. I was grateful to be welcomed and supported during my time at Everyone Village. It is an honor and inspiration to see the growth and evolution of the community and all of its residents.