Tammy Eagle Bull facts for kids

Tamara "Tammy" Eagle Bull is a super important Native American architect. She helped start a company called Encompass Architects in Lincoln, Nebraska. Guess what? She was the very first Native American woman in the United States to become a licensed architect! That's a big deal!

Tammy Eagle Bull's Early Life

Tammy Eagle Bull is a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation. This nation is located in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. She was born in McLaughlin, South Dakota.

Tammy grew up in a town called Aberdeen. Her father really encouraged her to become an architect. He wanted her to help Native American tribes with her designs. She has done many projects for Native American communities.

Tammy's Education Journey

Tammy worked hard in school to become an architect. In 1987, she earned her first degree. She got her bachelor's degree from Arizona State University.

Later, she continued her studies. In 1993, she earned her master's degree. This degree in architecture came from the University of Minnesota.

Tammy Eagle Bull's Career

In 1994, Tammy made history! She became the first Native American woman to be a licensed architect in the United States. Being licensed means she is officially allowed to design buildings. She can practice architecture in 11 different states.

Starting Encompass Architects

Tammy started her own architecture company in 2002. She co-founded Encompass Architects with her husband, Todd Hesson. Their company loves to work with Native American clients.

Tammy really listens to her clients' ideas. Their feedback helps shape the designs of her projects. She makes sure that Native American culture is a big part of her work. She works very closely with the people she designs for.

Designing Porcupine Day School

Tammy designed a special school called Porcupine Day School. It's a large building on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The school opened in 2009.

The building is two stories tall. It has three different sections for students. Each section is for different grade levels. Grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8 each have their own area. Each section has a different color on the outside.

The school's gymnasium has a cool floor made of bamboo. You can also see beautiful Lakota star quilt designs. These designs are on other floors throughout the school.

Awards and Recognition

Tammy Eagle Bull has received important awards. In 2018, she won the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. This award came from the American Institute of Architects. She was also the president of AIA Nebraska before this.

In 2019, Tammy was invited to speak at a famous school. She gave a lecture at the Yale School of Architecture. She talked about how architecture and Indigenous people are connected.