October 23, 2026

Oliver carves out new cultural role at Olson Kundig

Photo courtesy of Olson Kundig [enlarge]

Owen Oliver of the Quinault Nation has joined Olson Kundig as Cultural Affairs Advisor.

Owen Oliver has joined Olson Kundig as senior cultural affairs advisor, a new role supporting the firm's cultural practice and community-based projects.

Oliver is the former director of Arts and Culture at Headwater People Consulting, where he focused on Indigenous perspectives in the built environment and on building cross-cultural relationships. His work included community engagement and cultural advisory work for design projects across the northwest.

A Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington and authoring the “Indigenous Walking Tour of UW” is foundational in his work, as is an MFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts.

In 2020, Oliver was named to UNITY's (United National Indian Tribal Youth) “25 under 25.” He was also one of only five Native youth chosen that year as “Champions of Change,” an honor granted by the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) in Washington, D.C.

Oliver currently serves as writer-in-residence for the Friends of Waterfront Park new program.

Hailing from the people of the lower Columbia River, Salish Sea and Southwest Pueblos of Isleta, Oliver is an enrolled member of the Quinault Indian Nation.

“We're incredibly excited to welcome Owen and his expertise to our cultural practice, strengthening our commitment to designing with communities, not simply for them,” said Olson Kundig principal/owner and founder Tom Kundig. “He brings an understanding to the core design concepts that guide our work at all levels, ensuring the voices and communities connected to our projects help shape meaningful decisions.”

Oliver is a member of the 2025-2029 ArtWA Public Art Roster.