Denby Deegan facts for kids

Denby Deegan (1941–2018) was a very important architect. He was one of the first Native American architects in the United States. His Native American name was Surrounded by Enemy. He also helped start a group called the American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers. Denby Deegan was part of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation. He used ideas from his culture in his building designs.

Denby Deegan's Early Life

Denby Deegan was born on March 15, 1941. His parents were Pete and Dorothy Deegan. He went to school on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. He also attended Marty Indian School in Marty, South Dakota. Later, he went to high school in Garrison, North Dakota.

He studied engineering at Bismarck Junior College. This school is now known as Bismarck State College. In 1965, he earned two degrees from North Dakota State University. He got a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies. He also received a Bachelor of Architecture degree. Denby Deegan passed away on December 24, 2018.

Denby Deegan's Career as an Architect

Denby Deegan had his own architecture company. It was called Denby Deegan Associates. His office was in Bismarck, North Dakota. He was a founding member of the American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers. He even served as the first vice-chairman of this group.

Deegan's work was special because he often used symbols and ideas from Native American culture. He designed many buildings for Native American communities. His designs helped tell stories about their heritage.

Notable Projects by Denby Deegan

Denby Deegan worked on many important buildings and designs. Here are some of them:

• Urban American Indian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota (1972)
• Skills Center at United Tribes Technical College (1974)
• Oswego Community Center in Oswego, Montana (1975)
• Cultural/Tourism Building in Poplar, Montana
• Four Winds School in Fort Totten, North Dakota (1983)
• Three Affiliated Tribes Arikara Cultural Center in White Shield, North Dakota (2008)