Spring has sprung, and with it Xwi7xwa has just gotten in a bunch of fun games created by Indigenous folks! Come by the branch to check out all we have to offer – all of our games are tucked against the back wall between the stacks, so if you’re having trouble finding them, ask a team member to help you find them.
Here’s a small taste of the fun we have to offer:
The Truth in Truth and Reconciliation: Educational Board Game
Call Number: PS C67 T78 2024
“A respectful, authentic, Indigenous-teacher-made resource to learn and teach about the truth in truth and reconciliation. As a participant, your goal is to circle Turtle Island to collect eagle feathers before being stripped of your land, language, culture and identity by the policies and actions of the church and the crown. Collect all four feathers and you are a survivor!”
In addition to the striking art on the box and the hundreds of cards inside, the board is a beautiful depiction of a turtle shell:
Dialect – A Game About Language and How it Dies
Call number: PS H96 D53 2018
“Dialect is a story game about an isolated community, their language, and what it means for that language to be lost. In this game, you’ll tell the story of the Isolation by building their language. New words will come from the fundamental aspects of the community: who they are, what they believe in, and how they respond to a changing world.” A game for three to five players, complete in three to four hours.
nunami – ᐱᖖᙳᐊᓂᒃᑯᑦ ᐊᕙᑎᓕᕆᑦᓯᐊᓂᕐᓴᐅᓕᐅᑎᕈᑎᒃ. A game where by balancing nature and gaining influence, you win
Call number: PS M35 N85 2020
“nunami is an Inuit board game designed by Thomassie Mangiok of Ivujivik, with additional illustrations by Passa Mangiuk and Pasa Mangiok. It’s a game born of three family generations. The game is based on the Inuit culture and on pre-colonial life in the arctic, influenced by Thomassie Mangiok’s values. Entertainment, respect, appreciation of difference, exploration, and objective thinking are highlighted through the gameplay.”
Coyote and Crow – Science Fantasy Roleplaying in an Uncolonized Future
Call number: PS A44 C69 2021
“Coyote & Crow is a tabletop role playing game set in an alternate future of the Americas where colonization never occurred. Instead, advanced civilizations arose over hundreds of years after a massive climate disaster changed the history of the planet. You’ll play as adventurers starting out in the city of Cahokia, a bustling, diverse metropolis along the Mississippi River. It’s a world of science and spirituality where the future of technology and legends of the past will collide. Created by a team of Native Americans, this is a world where players from all backgrounds will find excitement, adventure and something new in the world of role playing.”
If you love Dungeons & Dragons, you’ll love this! You can borrow the core rulebook, game screen, and dice for in-branch use. Ask a librarian about getting a copy of one of the published campaigns or one-shot adventures from the “Stories of the Free Lands” companion from the makers of the game.
We also have the accompanying YA novel set in the Coyote & Crow universe:
Call Number: YUC N56 H46 2022
Held by the Land Deck: 45 Ways to Use Indigenous Plants for Healing & Nourishment
Call Number: None yet – ask a staff member if you’re interested in checking out this resource!
Though this technically isn’t a game, it is kept in the same section as our board games. This is a beautifully illustrated visual guide to using Indigenous plants, written by Leigh Joseph, a member of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) nation.
“Plants can be a great source of healing as well as nourishment, and the practice of growing and harvesting from trees, flowering herbs, and other plants is a powerful way to become more connected to the land. The Indigenous Peoples of North America have long traditions of using native plants as medicine as well as for food. Held by the Land Deck includes 45 cards of indigenous plants and their properties and a 48-page booklet to guide you along the way.”
Upcoming fun:
Keep your eyes peeled for games we have on order and are expecting to arrive at the branch in the next few weeks!
Naasii: A Coyote & Crow Dice Game
“Naasii is a push-your-luck, roll and write game inspired by well-known American classics as well as Native American games of chance. Each turn you’ll roll dice, choose which to keep. If you want to go for a higher score you can roll again, adding more dice, but you’ll risk the wrath of Crow and possibly busting! You’ll be trying to get sets or runs to get a higher score than your opponents in this light-hearted family game full of daring dice fun.”
Wolves: A semi-cooperative game about community survival
“Wolves is a semi-cooperative game about ensuring your community survives through winter. You’ll gather as many resources as you can, but in then end, you’ll have to rely on your fellow players for help. If you all make it through the winter and you were the most generous with sharing, you’ll be elected chief of all of the communities.”
Xwi7xwa is about more than books!
Though our (and your!) focus in our library is our book collection, we offer so much more, including board games, graphic novels, puppets (yes, they can be checked out!), and DVDs. If you have any questions on where to find these special items, ask one of our team members!