Mike Laverdure, Migisi Migwan (Eagle Feather), and Makwa Dodem (Bear Clan) are enrolled members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa in North Dakota. He is a registered Architect and a Sequoyah member of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society.

Mike’s journey in the field of Architecture began at North Dakota State University’s College of Architecture, where he graduated in 1996. He has since become a partner at DSGW Architects and the President of the First American Design Studio, an Indigenously owned firm.
Mike’s involvement with AISES began during his junior year at Turtle Mountain Community High School, and he has been an active member ever since. Mike served on the AISES Board from 2016 – 2022, his last year as President.

Mike is a past AISES Executive of the Year award winner and has made it a mission in his life to promote Architecture and Engineering as valid and vital STEM careers for our Indigenous youth.

Mike recently created an initiative, the Indigenous Design Camp. In its inaugural year, in 2024, it’s hosting 24 urban Minneapolis Indigenous youth who can learn about architecture and design careers.