ÂÜÀòÂÒÂ×

Joseph Kunkel

Treasurer at Homewise

Joseph Kunkel, Treasurer, and citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, is a Principal at MASS Design Group, where he directs the Sustainable Native Communities Design Lab based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a community designer and educator, focused on sustainable development practices throughout Indian Country. His work includes exemplary Indian housing projects and processes nationwide. This research work has developed into emerging best practices, leading to an online Healthy Homes Road Map for tribal housing development, funded by HUD’s PD&R Office. His professional career has centered on community-based design, material research, fabrication, and construction. From 2013-2016, Joseph led the development of a 41-unit affordable housing development, supported by National Endowment for the Arts and ArtPlace America. In 2019 Joseph was awarded an Obama Fellowship for his work with Indigenous communities. In 2018 Joseph received a Rauschenberg SEED grant from the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and a 2019 Creative Capital Award. Joseph is a Fellow of the inaugural class of the Civil Society Fellowship, a partnership of ADL and The Aspen Institute, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. Most recently Joseph was awarded the 2021 inaugural Elaine Johnson Coates Award, by the University of Maryland’s Alumni Association.