Please note that this is an in-person event at the Games Institute , EC1 at the University of Waterloo. Online participation may be accommodated for individuals with accessibility requirements, however, the workshop is designed for an in-person audience. Please reach out to the Games Institute (games.institute@uwaterloo.ca) if you would like to discuss the online option.
This workshop hosted by Dallas Squire of Onkwehonwe Games offers participants the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the people of the Six Nations (also called Haudenosaunee) through Traditional Games. Interactive and hands-on, their approach to teaching is indigenous in its foundation. While learning about traditional games of the Six Nations of the Grand River, participants will simultaneously be learning about and experiencing local First Nations culture. In Kanyen'keha Onkwehonwe translates to ‘the original or first people’. The traditional way of many Onkwehonwe is to live in harmony with Mother Earth. Living in this good way requires a balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Games were and are still used as a way to stay healthy and connected to a person’s community. Six Nations traditional games are used to enhance individual and team skills, as well as create sportsmanship, connection and laughter.
This event is part of the “ADE for Game Communities: Enculturing Anti-Racism, Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ADE) in Games Research and Creation” series from the ADE Committee of the Games Institute, University of Waterloo, and is supported in part by funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Register with Shopify! Please note there is a nominal participation fee ($5) associated with this event, however, Black and Indigenous students are invited free-of-charge with code GAMES2023 to be used at check-out. This nominal fee helps supplement the cost of workshop materials, particularly Indigenous games construction kits.
Speaker Bio:
Kahnyen’kehàka (Mohawk), Turtle Clan from Six Nations of the Grand River, Dallas Squire owner and operator of Onkwehonwe Games is our main program facilitator. A former professional Lacrosse player Dallas has been sharing culture and games for over a decade. Creating a safe and positive environment for learning Dallas encourages participants to experience the culture through traditional games and storytelling. Over the past several years Onkwehonwe Games has been able to expand its reach across Ontario and beyond.