Indigeneity, Technology and Education
In the Skins project, games are built by youth and elders. The project involves transmitting old stories in a virtual reality format. They are preserving the culture and engaging youth, not only at the design stage, but also at the consumption stage as well. Students deal with the old stories in a respectful manner, but they also present them in a forward-looking manner.
Post by Trevor Price
July 4, 2015
“By immersing Native Americans in their traditional languages and customs, Thornton hopes to teach them how to preserve parts of their culture in danger of dying out.”
The article linked to below explores the work of Don Thornton who created a language education game called RezWorld. The first iteration of this game was in Cherokee, but it can be adapted for any language. The article also leads us to the abtec website and to the Skins project (link below).
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/issues/issue_184/5652-Native-Resolution
On the AbTec.org site is a network of people dedicated to encouraging aboriginal presence in the areas of “web-pages, online games, and virtual environments that we call cyberspace.” The site has articles outlining the curriculum for game design for First Nations youth (E.g.: Skins 1.0: A Curriculum for Designing Games with First Nations Youth).
Post by Trevor Price
July 4, 2015
‘In the 19th century, Métis leader Louis Riel predicted: “My people will sleep for one hundred years. When they awaken, it will be the artists who give them back their spirit.” Most Aboriginal groups in Canada have relied on the oral tradition to convey an idea, message or value.’
– n.a. Media Smarts
Discusses FN successes with tv, film and theatre, music and radio neworks and the Internet. Although not specific to youth, the article gives a good overview of media, but also points to a game – Path of the Elders (http://www.pathoftheelders.com/index.php) by FN people and for FN children.
Post by Trevor Price
July 4, 2015