IO Member, BlackCherry Digital Media, Reconnects Aboriginal Youths through Game-Based Learning
BlackCherry Digital Media's upcoming 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 Cree narratives. PathOfTheElders.com goes live Wednesday, March 24th, 2010.
The upcoming launch of PathOfTheElders.com on Wednesday, March 24th, represents a milestone in quality online resources for Aboriginal youths.
Combining an innovative role-playing game with an extensive array of historical resources, PathOfTheElders.com will be a digital space for Cree youths to reconnect with their culture and history. Available online for the first time are 300 rare photographs from Saint Paul's University's Deschatelets collection, historic audio recordings of Cree narratives, video clips of interviews with elders, and six interactive games focused on developing leadership and negotiation skills.
John Mark Seck, president of Ottawa-based BlackCherry Digital Media, is confident youths will respond positively to this free online resource: "Our design team has put in every effort to ensure we're meeting the highest possible creative and technical standards. Youths will be drawn to the website because it looks compelling and because the games are exciting, challenging and fun. By exploring the game and completing each quest, they'll be learning about the history of Treaty No. 9, negotiation and leadership skills, and their culture."
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.
Based on early user testing results, PathOfTheElders.com stands poised to become a pivotal online resource for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. Mr. Seck 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 hope is PathOfTheElders.com will serve as a bridge to create deeper cultural awareness and understanding between the Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal cultures."
BlackCherry Digital Media launches PathOfTheElders.com on Wednesday, March 24th.
Read more about BlackCherry Digital Media, (http://www.blackcherrydm.com ) and voice your thoughts on the Project Blog. (http://pathoftheelders.blogspot.com)
If you would like more information about the On the Path of the Elders website, or to schedule an interview with John Seck, contact BlackCherry Digital Media at 613-722-4419 or by email at info@pathoftheelders.com.
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UPDATE: March 29th
BlackCherry Digital Media celebrated the public launch of PathoftheElders.com on Wednesday, March 24th. The project's collaborators and select members of the public gathered at Carleton University's Art Gallery to commemorate this turning point in game-based learning and to share their passion for finding innovative ways of inspiring Aboriginal youths.
The public launch of PathoftheElders.com on Wednesday, March 24th was the culmination of three years worth of dedication and commitment by numerous collaborators.
Stan Louttit of Neh Naak Ko, one of the project's originators and contributing writer, spoke of how On the Path of the Elders grew out of a need to find ways to reconnect Aboriginal youths with their past: "We wanted to provide a place where you could listen to the Elders and learn from them ... So originally we were targeting elders and youths, but along the way it has become open to everybody."
Since its conception, PathoftheElders.com has grown into a rich online resource featuring six elaborate role-playing games, audio and video recordings of Elders, over 300 archival photographs, a historical essay written from an Aboriginal perspective, and accompanying teachers' guides.
Dr. John Medicine Horse Kelly Cle-alls spoke with obvious emotion about the need for resources like PathoftheElders.com to help combat high Aboriginal youth suicide rates. He spoke of the disconnect in Aboriginal communities that has arisen as a result of disastrous colonial interventions such as residential schools, and the need to show Aboriginal youths that they are part of a deep and meaningful tradition and culture: "We need Aboriginal youths to look in the mirror and see somebody, a person, a real person, not a stereotype ... right now, they look in the mirror and see nothing, their reflection is a ghost."
The speeches concluded with a striking visual presentation by Mr. John Mark Seck, president of Ottawa-based BlackCherry Digital Media. Thanking his team for the effort and innovation they put into creating the site's world-class graphics and high-quality animation, he gave a visual tour of the six role-playing games and historical resources. He remarked, "Everyday, I am amazed by the level of creativity and commitment my team brings to every project."
Other speakers included Dr. Kimberly Matheson, Carleton University Vice-President (Research and International); Mr. Greg Spence of the Mushkegowuk Council; Franziska von Rosen of Our Incredible World (formally Pinegrove Productions); and Dr. Elaine Keillor, co-director of Carleton's Centre for Indigenous Research, Culture, Language and Education, known as CIRCLE.
From its opening with Dr. Cle-alls performing a traditional Aboriginal prayer, through the diverse array of inspiring and impassioned speakers, it was clear this event encompassed more than a website launch. It was about understanding how technology can help youths reconnect with their culture, and it was about enabling future generations of Aboriginal youths to become leaders in their communities
Created in partnership with BlackCherry Digital Media, Archives Desch'telets, 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)
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.
About BlackCherry Digital Media
BlackCherry creates virtual worlds, online games and interactive media for entertainment, education and communications.
In addition to launching "On the Path of the Elders", BlackCherry is creating a virtual world for tween boys. "Trouble Inc." is an immersive 3D entertainment destination set to launch in open beta in Dec. 2010. Visit Troubleinc.ca for more info.
Our world class team is made up of seasoned artists, animators, programmers, game designers, writers and educators. We develop multiplayer games and interactive learning products from the ground up. Our capability spans the full range of cross platform digital content creation including, Unity 3D game development, FLASH game and application development, 3D animation, web design and development, eCommerce and CMS implementation.
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