April 27, 2026
Through Architecture49’s partnership with Indspire, we are once again proud to support Soaring: Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering. Soaring provides First Nations, Inuit and Métis students in Canada the opportunity to learn about career and post-secondary education options by participating in interesting, informative, and engaging workshops.
This year, we look forward to welcoming students to our interactive workshop led by Catherine Hefler and Breanna Curren. The session will bring educational designers and students into a shared conversation about how schools are envisioned, designed, and built. Students are positioned as knowledge holders, and invited to share perspectives on what educational spaces should be and who they should serve.
In addition to our student-focused workshop, we will also offer a collaborative presentation through the Ottawa‑based joint venture project for the National Research Council of Canada’s Transportation Safety & Technology Science (TSTS) Lab. Pauline Thimm (managing principal of A49’s Winnipeg office) will join Jamie Miller of B+H Architects to deliver a collaborative presentation exploring how architects and designers take the invisible: ideas, stories, values, and dreams, and make them visible in the world around us.
Education is both a pathway to personal growth and success, and a means of building capacity, strengthening communities and contributing to our country’s prosperity. By creating space for student voice and sharing pathways into design, we aim to support Indigenous youth as they explore what’s possible for their futures. Through partnerships with organizations like Indspire and initiatives such as the Architecture49 Indigenous Student Scholarship, we strive to play a meaningful role in supporting and empowering students to pursue their educational goals and realize their aspirations.
CATHERINE HEFLER, Architecture49
Catherine is the National Practice Leader for Architecture49’s Education Sector. An Accredited Learning Environment Planner (ALEP), she is dedicated to designing forward-thinking, flexible, and responsive learning environments across Canada. Catherine is passionate about creating spaces that reflect the diverse needs of all learners, ensuring that students of every ability and learning style can thrive.
BREANNA CURREN, Architecture49
Breanna is an Intern Architect at Architecture49, with a growing portfolio focused on educational environments. Passionate about emotional architecture and social sustainability, her Master’s thesis explored intergenerational programming to foster people-centered design. Her recent contributions to the design and delivery of K–12 schools across Atlantic Canada reflect her commitment to creating inclusive, flexible, and engaging spaces that support diverse learning styles, promote student well-being, and encourage community connection.
PAULINE THIMM, Architecture49
Pauline is a Senior Architect specialising in post‑secondary learning environments. She recently accepted the role of Managing Principal for Architecture49’s Winnipeg office. With over 24 years of experience designing spaces for learning, living, and community, she brings curiosity and care to understanding how students learn and how design can support wellbeing and success. Pauline has extensive experience collaborating with diverse communities across Canada and the United States, including Indigenous partners. She is currently working with communities across the Prairies to deliver schools and health centres, and is deeply committed to listening, learning, and supporting student success through design. Pauline is passionate about helping young people see creative, meaningful futures in design and architecture.
JAMIE MILLER, B+H Architects
Jamie Miller is the Global Director of Regenerative Design and Biomimicry for Atelier Ten and the SJ Group of Companies. He is also the President of the award-winning consultancy, Biomimicry Frontiers, and the Founder of Biomimicry Commons, an education and incubation platform named, "A World Changing Idea" by Fast Company. Jamie holds a PhD in engineering, focusing on urban resilience and systems-level biomimicry and trained by Janine Benyus, and continues to collaborate with many Indigenous Knowledge Holders on the deeper principles of biomimicry. In everything he does, Jamie's mission is to uncover the genius of nature and practically apply it to built systems to reconnect humans and their true nature.