Overview:
The Path of The Elders began as a partnership between Mushkegowuk Council, Carleton University, BlackCherry Digital Media Inc. and Pinegrove Productions. The desire was to document Elder knowledge, which the developers believe is fading away in communities across Canada. In keeping with traditions, the prime resource for creating the game is the stories of actual elders. They tell the stories of the Mushkegowuk and Anishinaabe People in the indigenous territory: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (People’s Land). Through the stories they endeavor to give a solid understanding of their people and the richness of their history and culture.
There are currently 6 games on the site (Canoeing Game, Healing Game, Hunting Game, Resources Game, Trapping Game, and Negotiating Game). In addition to this you will find galleries, essays and written stories. An extensive video gallery exists of elders telling stories in Native languages (english text) in the tradition form.
Teachers will find guides that link learning outcomes from grades 4-10.
There are currently 6 games on the site (Canoeing Game, Healing Game, Hunting Game, Resources Game, Trapping Game, and Negotiating Game). In addition to this you will find galleries, essays and written stories. An extensive video gallery exists of elders telling stories in Native languages (english text) in the tradition form.
Teachers will find guides that link learning outcomes from grades 4-10.
Mission/Purpose:
The stated goals of the Path of Elders creators is to 1) reconnect Aboriginal youths with their culture and history 2) decrease Aboriginal youth suicide rates 3) create a bridge between Non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal cultures. The authors believe video games have a tremendous influence for all youth, citing that the average person play 10 000 hours of video games before the age of 21. As the site states “If we don’t start figuring out how to use gamers’ abilities to solve real world problems, we’re wasting a huge resource.” The path of elders developers seek to promote leadership, negotiation and decision making skills. They want to encourage youth to be advocates for change, to recognize their connection to a rich and vibrant culture, and be able to apply the skills they learn to become leaders in their communities.
The Path of Elders is based on Cree and Objibway concepts of negotiation, as taught by elders of the communities. The premise is not a typical “I win/you die” gaming premise. It allows youth to explore the various facets of Cree and Objibway culture, and to self-guide their learning. Creativity, critical thinking, decision making, and leadership skills are utilized to achieve outcomes. The concept of the game is very constructivist based, shifting the power in the classroom to the learner and having the teacher act as a facilitator.
Of central importance in all of this is the spoken word and the values taught through stories and interaction.
The Path of Elders is based on Cree and Objibway concepts of negotiation, as taught by elders of the communities. The premise is not a typical “I win/you die” gaming premise. It allows youth to explore the various facets of Cree and Objibway culture, and to self-guide their learning. Creativity, critical thinking, decision making, and leadership skills are utilized to achieve outcomes. The concept of the game is very constructivist based, shifting the power in the classroom to the learner and having the teacher act as a facilitator.
Of central importance in all of this is the spoken word and the values taught through stories and interaction.
This Video Introduces the games, showing how characters interact in the virtual world
A summary of the basic concepts of each activity and game
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The Path of the Elders main objective is to educate, using traditional knowledge blended with modern day technologies to facilitate this. To help ensure knowledge is passed the site provides the document to the left as a reference for teachers and students.
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