ISAPD was founded by Indigenous scholars to advance Indigenous people and knowledge in architecture, planning, and design in response to experiencing challenges in mainstream academia and practice. Therefore, ISAPD and the supportive Student Chapter Kit are geared toward making the process of becoming a member and becoming a chapter as accessible and efficient as possible.

Becoming a member gives Indigenous scholars and those interested an opportunity to create a unique ecosystem of encouragement, discussion, critique, and growth to reimagine and work toward a balanced future.

Full members are full-time students with a commitment to Indigenous architecture and planning who are enrolled in an academic institution with an accredited Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, or Environmental Design program.

Associate members are full-time students with a commitment to Indigenous architecture, planning, and design who are enrolled in any other program at an academic institution.

Agent members are part-time students with a commitment to Indigenous architecture, planning, and design who are enrolled in any program at an academic institution.

Fellow members are full-time or part-time students enrolled in the academic institution who have a commitment to Indigenous architecture, planning, and design.

Full members, Associate members, and Agent members must have a tribal affiliation.

Fellow members do not have a tribal affiliation.

Full members are eligible to serve as Chairs and be in the Governing Council of their chapter.

ISAPD student members do not need to be associated with a chapter to be considered a member of ISAPD.

ISAPD membership is free.