A Strong Fire: An Oneida Language and Culture App for Children and Families (Prototyping category)

FAIN: MT-268952-20

Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX 76129-0001)
Wendi Sierra (Project Director: June 2019 to present)

Prototyping of an online interactive game using Oneida folklore to explore Oneida language, culture, and, philosophy.

The proposed project is an online game for elementary aged children and their parents to introduce them to and support their learning of Oneida language and culture. The game will be structured around the “Thanksgiving Address,” a traditional Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) address that thanks the earth and the environment for all that they give to humanity. The game will include narratives recounting Oneida folklore, with targeted vocabulary introduced throughout based on the content of the stories. Game development will involve collaboration with Oneida tribal organizations as well as with indigenous scholars and artists. A Strong Fire is built on two important and interrelated humanities themes: the experiencing of oral literature, and the introduction to Oneida culture and philosophy via the language, especially the Oneida belief in the Good Mind, which includes recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings and showing gratitude and respect to all beings.

Associated Products

A Strong Fire (Game/Simulation)
Title: A Strong Fire
Author: Wendi Sierra
Abstract: This is the fully playable, stand-alone game.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://astrongfire.com/
Primary URL Description: This is the site the game can be played at.
Access Model: Open Access
Programming Language/Platform: HTML 5
Source Available?: No

“Climate Activism and Communication” (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: “Climate Activism and Communication”
Author: Wendi Sierra
Abstract: Presented on how a Good Mind approach, as modeled by A Strong Fire, can support environmental activism and begin the conversation in elementary school
Date: 4/20/2021
Primary URL: http://www.nicrn.org/2021-shifting-seasons-summit.html
Conference Name: Shifting Seasons Summit

A STRONG FIRE AND COMMUNITY-ENGAGED DESIGN: GAME DESIGN POSTMORTEM (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: A STRONG FIRE AND COMMUNITY-ENGAGED DESIGN: GAME DESIGN POSTMORTEM
Author: Wendi Sierra
Abstract: A keynote talk on community engaged game design, using A Strong Fire as a model process
Date: 3/15/2021
Primary URL: https://noquarters.tcu.edu/

Learning with A Good Mind: Using an Oneida Game as Part of a Culture Based Curriculum (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Learning with A Good Mind: Using an Oneida Game as Part of a Culture Based Curriculum
Author: Wendi Sierra
Abstract: Presented on culturally informed ways to teach about Native American philosophy and heritage.
Date: 2/15/2021
Conference Name: Fort Worth ISD Multicultural Institute

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