Cape Breton-made video game aims to help preserve, promote Mi’kmaq language
SYDNEY, N.S. – A brandnew fantasy adventure video game inspired by Mi’kmaq legends is projected to be released in late 2024.
“Kun’tewiktuk — A Mi’kmaw Adventure” is a third-person perspective game that will feature a story arc that progresses through levels and challenges players with a series of quests.
The game is being produced by Green Robot
Studios and Kji-Wikuom Studios. Green Robot Studios is a gaming and interactive entertainment studio located on Cape Breton Island that explores themes and stories based on Cape Breton’s history and culture.
Kji-Wikuom Studios is a recording studio located in Eskasoni First Nation established to preserve Mi’kmaw language and is supporting the project with casting, voice work, language, sound engineering, Mi’kmaw translations, promotions and more.
Its creation primarily stemmed from a desire to preserve the Mi’kmaq language and culture, shared Tom Johnson, the owner of Kji-Wikuom Studios.
“I chair the Canadian commission of UNESCO’s Indigenous Language Committee on behalf of Canada and we’re noticing a decline in the language right across the country,” said Johnson.
“So, this was another form for us to take a new a new form to promote the language, there will be a version of the game that will be all Mi’kmaq.”
PRESERVING THE LANGUAGE
Johnson hopes that by integrating the language and culture into a gaming format, Mi’kmaq will become more widely recognized and understood.
“When we have our young Mi’kmaw people playing, or non-Indigenous as well, that they’ll be able to pick up these words. It’s all about immersive learning and bringing those words into your subconscious mind so that when you engage in conversation outside of the game, you will already have heard a lot of these terms and words,” he said.
“And maybe this will develop a spark, an interest in the language because we are an oral-based language and the more you hear it, the better of transmission from A to B. Hopefully, we’ll slow down that decline and maybe we’ll reverse that trend and bring more speakers.”
Reversing the trend comes with a bit of urgency, said Johnson.
“If the language dies here, there’s nowhere else where we can run to. It’s from here. There’s nowhere else, so we have to take the initiative to preserve and protect it and to promote it as much as we can,” he said.
“And if we have this technology at our disposal, why not, you know?”
TAPPING INTO YOUNGER GENERATIONS
The majority of Indigenous creators working alongside Johnson on the project are students or young adults, which is promising for future projects.
“We have some young people working at the studio. I did a lot of that production stuff myself prior and I just couldn’t keep up with the demand and that’s why we put in a community-based audio/ video recording studio. I’m hoping that the youth will take this over and run with it,” said Johnson.
“There is definitely an interest because it involves technology and youth love that stuff, and we have the latest equipment at their disposal. We’re there to support them in any way we can and to enhance their skills and whatever they’re doing.”
Having younger staff at the studio gives Johnson faith that his Mi’kmaq heritage will last for decades to come.
“That brings comfort to my heart, knowing that there’s something in place. If I’m gone, you still have youth that going continue doing this stuff,” he said.
I feel we Eskasoni Mi’kmaw have an obligation to the nation, whereas we have the most speakers, we have an obligation to provide something to the nation, to the non-speakers who want to learn. I know this is the only base studio, but it’s going to benefit the whole nation.”
A SNOWBALL EFFECT
Shawn Green, the president of Green Robot Studios, is excited about the response to the game, especially with so much Indigenous talent put into it.
“As we started looking into Mi’kmaw stories, we were completely blown away at the richness and the wealth of stories and characters and adventures that could be told,” said Green.
“By the time the project is finished, we anticipate between 10-12 non-Indigenous contributors that will be on our credit roll and we estimate probably 20 Indigenous and Mi’kmaw partners and contributors and collaborators on the project. Most of our team is based in Nova Scotia.”
Both Johnson and
Green are hopeful that “Kun’tewiktuk — A Mi’kmaw Adventure” will result in other First Nations groups producing their own versions to preserve their history.
“We took the game to the West Coast, and everybody enjoyed what we were doing there. Like they want to do this with their own language. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if Shawn gets more requests from other First Nations to do something like this,” said Johnson.
Meghan Dewar is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter for the Cape Breton Post covering Indigenous Affairs.