Native American Heritage Month

November is dedicated to celebrating the vibrant and diverse heritage of Native Americans across the United States, with a particularly profound significance in California. For thousands of years, Indigenous communities have shaped the cultural and historical fabric of the state, fostering traditions and a deep bond with the land. At AC Martin, we take pride in our role within California’s architectural legacy. This month, we highlight projects that pay tribute to the rich heritage of California’s Indigenous peoples and their enduring connection to the land.

Engineering & Technology Building, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt
ARCATA, CA

The land where Cal Poly Humboldt is located is part of the ancestral homeland of the Wiyot people. The university acknowledges this history and actively works to build relationships with the local indigenous communities.

AC Martin designed a new Engineering & Technology Building on the campus which recently broke ground. The building will serve as a gateway to all polytechnic students, and shepherd them through years of success in the College of Natural Resources and Sciences. This project is designed to be Carbon Net Zero and constructed of mass-timber from locally sources materials, creating a direct connection with the local industry. The project will include engineering and research labs, maker spaces, and a student success center as well as an Indigenous Sciences Classroom for the Indian Natural Resources, Science & Engineering Program (INRSEP). AC Martin met with the INRSEP group on multiple occasions during the planning and design phases to gather a comprehensive understanding of their needs, habits, and aspirations. This process ensures the final design is functional, user-friendly, and reflective of the community's unique identity.

The INRSEP program provides academic and research support services to first generation, low income, and historically underrepresented students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medicine (STEMM) disciplines with a focus on American Indian and Indigenous students. The group collaborates closely with local tribal communities, embracing their Indigenous perspectives and supporting each tribe in achieving its unique objectives. INRSEP honors diverse approaches to interacting with the natural world by integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous sciences, fostering a shared respect for both tradition and innovation. 

Learn more about INRSEP: CLICK HERE

yakʔitʸutʸu STUDENT HOUSING at CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA

Cal Poly SLO sits on the traditional lands of the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe of San Luis Obispo County and Region. The yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini have a documented presence in this area for over 10,000 years.

In recognition of the Indigenous peoples of San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly proudly named this residential community, yakʔitʸutʸu, which means “our community” in the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash language.

In this first-year residential community, the buildings were designed both internally and externally to create a strong sense of community; the overarching goal of the project was to increase interaction and exchange among the residents.

Each of the seven buildings that comprise yakʔitʸutʸu student housing has been given Northern Chumash names. Following are the names, origins, and meanings of the seven buildings:

tsɨtkawayu
modern location: cambria
meaning: place of the horses

elewexe
modern location: paso robles
meaning: named for swordfish

tšɨłkukunɨtš
modern location: carrizo plain
meaning: place of the rabbits

tiłhini
modern location: san luis obispo
cultural capital
meaning: place of the full moon

nipumuʔ
modern location: nipomo
meaning: place of the big house

tsɨtqawɨ
modern location: morro bay
meaning: place of the dogs

tsɨtpxatu
modern location: avila
meaning: place of the whales

Watch this video to learn about the intentional design, multifaceted impact and deep partnership that has evolved in an extensive collaboration with the Northern Chumash yak titʸu titʸu yak tiƚhini tribe. CLICK HERE

Watch a video with pronunciations and meanings of the Northern Chumash names: CLICK HERE

Learn all about the history, green building features, and more: CLICK HERE

Learn more about the design of the project: CLICK HERE