Cave Painting Australian Aboriginal Art

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Reconnecting Aboriginal Youths through Game-Based Learning

The launch of PathoftheElders.com marks a turning point in using new media to reconnect Aboriginal youths with their past. Elevating game-based learning to a new level, this free online resource combines an elaborate role-playing game (RPG) with rich historical resources, including rare archival photographs and historic audio recordings of Mushkegowuk (Swamp) Cree narratives of Northern Ontario.

Combining an innovative role-playing game with an extensive array of historical resources, PathoftheElders.com is a digital space for Mushkegowuk Cree youths to reconnect with their culture and history. Available online for the first time are rare photographs from Saint Paul University’s Deschâtelets collection, historic audio recordings of Mushkegowuk Cree narratives, video clips of interviews with Elders, and six interactive games focused on developing leadership and negotiation skills.

Created in partnership with the Mushkegowuk Council, Neh Naak Ko, Carleton University, BlackCherry Digital Media, Archives Deschâtelets, Learning Methods Group, and Pinegrove Productions, PathoftheElders.com represents a milestone in quality online resources for Aboriginal youths.

Stan Louttit of Neh Naak Ko reflects, “On The Path Of The Elders is a unique resource that presents a view of our Elders and treaty history within the medium of the internet.  It’s important for adults and youths to use this site and to learn in a fun way something of our history. Aboriginal life in the communities is changing so much that I believe we need these types of resources to document, preserve and present our history, teachings, values, language and culture for people to learn about.”

In addition to the youth-focused materials, educators can easily integrate PathoftheElders.com into the classroom by accessing the free Teachers’ Guides and educational kits available online.

PathoftheElders.com stands poised to become a pivotal online resource for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. John Mark Seck, president of Ottawa-based BlackCherry Digital Media, acknowledges, “We’ve had a great response so far. People are really eager to explore the site and try out the games … not just the kids, but adults too. Our design team has put in every effort to ensure we’re meeting the highest possible creative and technical standards. Our hope is PathoftheElders.com will serve as a bridge to create deeper cultural awareness and understanding between the Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal cultures.”

Visit PathoftheElders.com (http://www.pathoftheelders.com) to explore this rich and innovative website.

This project was made possible with the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Culture Online Strategy. Created with additional financial assistance from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the Inukshuk Fund.

Created in partnership with BlackCherry Digital Media, Archives Deschâtelets, the Doug Ellis Collection at Carleton University, Our Incredible World (Pinegrove Productions), the Mushkegowuk Council, Neh Naak Ko, the Archives of St. Paul University, Carleton University, and Wendy Campbell, Educational Consultant (Learning Methods Group).

About the Author

Path of the Elders – http://www.pathoftheelders.com

Aboriginal History: “Did You Know?” Part 2 of 4

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