Within the last decade, video games have emerged as powerful pedagogical tools, and they represent a promising avenue for language revitalization efforts. In this talk we will discuss themaking of Edànı Nǫgèe Dǫne Gok’èı̨dı̀ [How Fox Saved the People], a video game based on the traditional Tłı̨chǫ story. Inthis game, players must help Fox save the starving people by solving the mystery of the missing caribou. To do so, they must accomplish tasks like finding their way on the land, collecting firewood, picking berries, and searching for clues, all of which take place in a Tłı̨chǫ immersion environment. (English subtitles are available also.) 

Why a video game? Unlike movies, recordings, or text, games require active participation. The goal of this game is to stimulate learning through a combination of interactive storytelling, and the reinforcement that comes from achieving tasks. Because the narrative relies on core themes, key characters, and repeated actions, players can build up a solid foundation of vocabulary and simple sentence structure through repeated use in a game context that emphasizes traditional Tłı̨chǫ culture.

This talk will feature a demonstration of the game, an overview of its intended uses, and an account of its path to completion.