Cardinal to design American Indian museum

Page 16

"If we are willing to stand on what we know and leap off into that unknown abyss and soar like an eagle, where all possibilities occur, we will be able to change this world.

"Because, when you are willing to find the domain of the warrior, in the land of the eagle, then anything is possible."

These are the words of Douglas Cardinal, an Alberta-born internationally renowned architect of the Blackfoot tribe. He began his career in Western Canada and his unique concepts and creativity have produced some truly amazing structures in Canada.

The Smithsonian Institution has recently selected the architectural firm of Geddes Brecher Qualls & Cunningham of Philadelphia in association with Douglas Cardinal Architect Ltd. Ottawa, to design the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. Cardinal will serve as the principal designer of the new museum.

This 260,000-square foot museum, located on the National Mall, will open to the public in 2001. This structure will be the last of the facilities comprising a collection of three structures. Established by an act of Congress in 1989, it is to be an institution of living culture dedicated to the preservation, study and exhibition of life, languages, literature, history and the arts of the Indigenous people of the western hemisphere.

Cardinal believes that each project he embraces is a spiritual act and that total commitment from every person involved is imperative. This commitment, and his inward ability to overpower obstacles, helps him achieve. Cardinal doesn't simply build; his creations evolve from the inside out, from the heart to the skin that holds it together.

"In my profession and in my daily living, I have always maintained that the endeavors of all Canadians should be directed towards a betterment of the human condition." This dedication to mankind is apparent in his structures. His innovative style serves man within his element rather than subjecting him to imprisonment by his environment. Cardinal's creations flow rather than restrict.

To date, the most famous of his designs is the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Quebec. It was this structure that won him international acclaim, but it was his early structures like St. Mary's Church in Red Deer and the Grande Prairie Regional College that first unmasked the uniqueness of the Cardinal gift.

At the construction stage of St. Mary's church, the professionals told him that his design for the roof was virtually impossible. The roof spanned 120 feet and he planned to suspend 250 tons of concrete on a frame that resembled a spider web. The priest of the parish became very concerned and Cardinal had to reassure him. "Father, this is a spiritual act. You have to have faith," Cardinal said. Although something may seem impossible, if you declare that you are going to do it no matter what, you open a possibility that it may occur because conviction is empowering. Then the right people may show up to help you, which they did, Cardinal said.

Rather than trusting the handful of knowledge available to man, Cardinal looks to nature. He observes what the Creator has provided and imitates the intricacies that we carefully constructed.

Cardinal the man is soft-spoken and carries with him the wisdom of the Elders.

His Nativeness is very much a part of his life. He has not abandoned his people for international fame but has rather chosen to become very involved in many ways. Education is very important to him and especially education of the Native people. He was instrumental in developing the White paper, a master plan for Native education in Alberta.

Cardinal believes in the power of creativity.

"We all have this power within us and we should instill this power in our children. Society teaches our children to answer questions rather than ask them. We, as parents and educators, restrict our children. We provide them with the knowledge that we know and discourage them from seeking more.

"We must declarethat something will happen and it will," he said. "But it is fear that restrains us, fear keeps us small, fear of our own mortality, fear of death. We all want to play it safe."

Cardinal often speaks of the Elders and their wisdom, which has inspired him to shed his fears and leap off that collection of restricted knowledge and soar with the eagles, where all possibilities occur.