About The Project

Implemented by the Yellowhead Indigenous Education Foundation, the “Exploring Wâhkôhtowin” educational board game aspires to spark non-Indigenous people to reflect on the meaning and impact of the treaties signed between First Nations and the Canadian Government, and how their relations can be improved. It recognizes that the first step to reconciling and rebuilding their relationship is understanding their shared history and the impact of events, policy, and legislation historically and in the present day.

The game aims to foster dialogue in an engaging and meaningful way. Each player represents an Indigenous family possessing the knowledge, skills, and resources to survive on the Canadian prairies. As players move through the seasons, event cards guide their decisions through major events in the country’s history. New worldviews and perspectives are introduced emphasizing the values of collaboration over competition, and putting an emphasis on cultural retention. Wâhkôhtowin is a Cree word meaning kinship interwoven in relationships, communities, and natural systems. From an Indigenous perspective, Wâhkôhtowin establishes a map for guiding human actions and connections.