The Oak Savanna and ITECK Center: The Voices at the Intersection of ITECK and Architecture Series out now!

March, 2025 | Article by Ron Acob

Design for the Common Good is thrilled to announce the release of the second and final episode in the Oak Savanna and Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge (ITECK) Center: The Voices at the Intersection of ITECK and Architecture podcast series on February 28, 2025. This episode is produced in collaboration with Portland State University’s (PSU) Indigenous Nations Studies, PSU Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge Program, The Center for Public Interest Design and the PSU School of Architecture.

In this episode, the story of the Oak Savanna and ITECK Center continues with voices from students and faculty in the PSU School of Architecture, the Center for Public Interest Design and Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge. The story delves into how students, faculty, and community partners have contributed to the interdisciplinary efforts to reclaim and restore the Native Oak Savanna at PSU as a place for gathering, food, medicine, and ceremony, and the renovation of the ITECK Center.

Additionally, this episode highlights how the project is driving a shift in interdisciplinary education, sustainability, and traditional architecture practices by creating shared courses across departments and organizing community engagements. All this ITECK-guided, place-based work is developed in collaboration with and for students, faculty, and members of the ITECK community  .

The Oak Savanna and Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge: The Voices at the Intersection of ITECK and Architecture podcast is a limited, two-episode series. This digital storytelling initiative is part of a commitment to raise awareness about the ongoing journey to reclaim the Oak Savanna at PSU, strengthen meaningful collaborations, and amplify Indigenous voices at the forefront of environmental and social justice efforts—both locally and globally.

To listen to the full series and explore other storytelling projects, visit: Design for the Common Good – The Oak Savanna and ITECK Center