Repost from preservationbuffaloniagara.org | Submitted by Reine Hauser
It Takes a Village: The Preservation Journey of The Turtle
The Native American Center for the Living Arts — affectionately known as “The Turtle”—stands as a powerful symbol of Indigenous culture and heritage. Completed in 1981 and designed by Northern Arapaho architect Dennis Sun Rhodes-Hinono’ei / Northern Arapaho: Wind River Nation, The Turtle was built to celebrate Indigenous peoples of the Western Hemisphere through art, history, and culture.
Its unique architectural design is deeply symbolic: inspired by the Haudenosaunee Creation Story, where the world rests on the back of an ancient sea turtle, the building’s striking features include large “eye” porthole windows gazing toward the Niagara River Rapids and a geodesic dome crowned with an eagle-shaped skylight over a circular 250-seat theater. The Turtle is a rare and powerful example of postmodern architecture that blends symbolism with function, making it not only a cultural landmark but also a significant architectural treasure.
However, after 30 years shuttered and under minimal maintenance, the building faced severe deterioration. Enter Friends of the Niagara Turtle, a passionate community group dedicated to “Reawaken the Turtle.” By December 2024, they had secured 63 architectural drawings documenting the building’s original construction and initiated an economic analysis to chart a path forward for restoration and revitalization.
The building’s cultural and historical significance was formally recognized in September 2024 when the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) declared The Turtle eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Further elevating its status, in May 2025, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named The Turtle one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.
For their tireless dedication to preserving and revitalizing this living symbol of Indigenous culture and architectural heritage, we proudly present Friends of the Niagara Turtle with the 2025 Preservation Award for Neighborhood Preservation Organization.
Congratulations to everyone who made this happen! Your hard work doesn’t just save a building—it helps keep an important cultural story alive, bringing strength and pride to our whole City.
Please follow the Friends of the Niagara Turtle’s journey to Re-Awaken the Turtle: https://niagaraturtle.org/about-us.
