AbTeC Blog - Latest Comments

Re: Aboriginal Steampunk: The Path Without End

Savannah N. Logsdon-Breakstone — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 00:47:11 -0000

Someone shared on tumblr. Freaking awesome! (Also, blown away by Cris's playing.)

Re: Newsletter #17 – Storytelling in Games, Resident Evil 5 Racism Controversy Continues, and Blue Lacuna

Kamagra — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:35:38 -0000

He collaborates with the evil Lady M. (the brilliant, ...... or suggesting that the solution to racism is to "fuck until everyone is beige.

Re: Indigenous Representations in Commercial Video Games

DrMahuta — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:01:10 -0000

wow how have I not been on this site any sooner. Love the thoughts on this page

Re: Newsletter #17 – Storytelling in Games, Resident Evil 5 Racism Controversy Continues, and Blue Lacuna

watch sanctum online — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 08:00:27 -0000

Fox 59 Reports: The controversy over soap with racist labels being sold at a Noblesville store continues. In addition to those who are offended by the store

Re: Through the Looking Glass Self: Group Identity and Avatar Design in Second Life

Hanging pendant lights — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 07:14:07 -0000

Excellent! Great article, I already saved it to my favourite,

Re: Newsletter #17 – Storytelling in Games, Resident Evil 5 Racism Controversy Continues, and Blue Lacuna

personal injury — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 05:05:27 -0000

And that is because Disney Epic Mickey is one of those enticing yet deeply flawed games that is a lot more fun to watch than to play. In its storytelling ...

Re: http://www.abtec.org/blog/?p=278

Skawennati — Sat, 08 May 2010 21:22:55 -0000

I can't believe there's nip in this pic!!

Re: http://www.abtec.org/blog/?p=278

Beth Aileen Lameman — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:41:13 -0000

Hey Sharon, I'm glad you found us!

Re: http://www.abtec.org/blog/?p=278

Sharon — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:33:08 -0000

Thanks for the links, Jasper! I saw a video in later posts after I commented about the O:tsi game! I totally remember the flying head legends from I was a kid n Akwesasne, and I was so happy to see that game. It really brought back memories and pride. I showed it to my daughter and we had a great discussion about gaming and first-person shooters and legends and things. It was a great opportunity for us because she's only 3/4 Mohawk (her father is Plains Cree) and both of us are a little out of touch with our Mohawk heritage. So thank you for that! I hadn't realized that there was an entire site for it! There was just the video on the blog entry.

Sharon

Re: http://www.abtec.org/blog/?p=278

Beth Aileen Lameman — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:24:38 -0000

Well, I sure didn't mean to offend you. I'm just pointing out that, first, Jen doesn't have any real defense and that, second, we should be able to play as Jen. Of course I also think it should be Jen who has the wrench in the opening.

Julia Chang is an interesting case. She is simply "a Native American from Arizona" who was abandoned as a baby and adopted by a half Native, half Chinese woman Michelle Chang, but I do appreciate that she is educated and kicks ass.

Re: http://www.abtec.org/blog/?p=278

jaspernotwell — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:08:25 -0000

Fostering the growth of Natives involved in the production of these games (and all other forms of digital, networked media) is a major priority for the AbTeC research network. Take a look at http://otsi.abtec.org to see video game design done by high school students in our Skins Workshop on Aboriginal Storytelling and Game Design, or at http://www.timetravellertm.net to see machinima created by Mohawk artist Skawennati Fragnito (co-director of AbTeC.)

Re: http://www.abtec.org/blog/?p=278

GamerGirl — Thu, 06 May 2010 00:05:17 -0000

"Prey – Jen

Although representations have gotten better overall, the “victim” theme hasn’t passed. In Prey, we meet the character Jen, a hardcore Cherokee chick that runs a bar. She’s Tommy’s (and thus our) girlfriend. Aliens kidnap her, which propels us to become the reluctant hero and save the world in order to get her back. Only problem is she ends up dying anyway and we get one of those “I’ll see you in the next world” deals. Too bad she can’t save herself."

As an Aboriginal woman, I am more offended by this comment on the Jen character than I am by the character! What's wrong with her dying in the game, seriously? She didn't die BECAUSE she is Native as the writer would suggest....she died because that was part of the storyline.

P.s. to the other commenter, check out Julia in the TEKKEN game series for a good strong Aboriginal female character!

Happy Gaming!

Re: SKINS 1.0 | Otsi: Rise of the Kanien’keha:ka Legends

Sharon — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:51:22 -0000

This is amazing! I love it! I want to learn more!!

I totally remember this story when I was a kid! lol (I'm half Mohawk raised in Saskatchewan)

Re: http://www.abtec.org/blog/?p=278

Sharon — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:11:09 -0000

This article sort of makes me sick. Not your writing, but that these characters exist at all. I'm a gamer, a woman, and Native. My daughter is getting into games now too, and it both makes me sad that she won't see herself in the characters, and sick that when she does see Native characters, this is all there is. (Please tell me this isn't all there is!)

I just wish there were Native developers out there. Or at least involved in the production. Or .. something, y'know?

Re: Indigenous Representations in Commercial Video Games

jaspernotwell — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 09:50:41 -0000

That's why we've started the Skins workshops on Video Game Design & Aboriginal Storytelling (skins.abtec.org; otsi.abtec.org), to train a new generation of young Native digital media producers who can tell our stories our way.

Re: Indigenous Representations in Commercial Video Games

Arachne — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 11:46:59 -0000

What? no comments?
This is an interesting overview of a problem commonly seen in video games: misrepresentation and misappropriation of minority groups. I was thinking of writing a blog in Screwattack about this problem because it's something I don't see being talked about much.
I guess one of the big problems is that the games are primarily made by and for non-native people, following game mechanics that promote those views. It always bothered me how resource gathering in a video game rarely deals with issues of resource management, too.
I think what is needed are more indigenous peoples making games. Just as the literary depiction of native peoples has been changed by self-representation and the teaching of indigenous values, video games can do the same.

Re: Interview with Candice Hopkins

Western Artwork — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:26:02 -0000

so this fossil is man made, not really a fossil itself? lol :D

Re: Careers in the Gaming Industry Panel Discussion at Concordia

jaspernotwell — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:21:15 -0000

Great report! I met the a2m CTO, Martin Walker, last night and he mentioned that one of our (CART) students asked a memorable question. (I think it was Moh.) He didn't know about CART, but after I told him more about the program he seemed to think it would be great prep for some of things they are doing in the industry. He also offered to come speak to CART/Skins students, so we'll get that arranged in the new year.

Re: Digital Drum: Aboriginal Media Production

Nadine Spence — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:43:15 -0000

Contact: Nadine Spence
Telephone: (250) 491-1308
Email:beethechange@shaw.ca
http://beethechange.shawwebspa...

This year 2009 BC Fashion Week will host Bee the Change Fashion that will feature 7 aboriginal emerging designers from across Canada.

Vancouver, BC September 28- October 3 BC Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009 “Balance” will be the host to national and international designers. British Columbia Fashion Week will focus on the Business of Fashion, and will showcase two types of collections – Ready to Wear and Diffusion (a line between ready-to-wear and trousseau/couture) and special addition of contemporary and traditional aboriginal fashion design from across Canada.. BC Fashion Week hopes to make this an annual showcase of Aboriginal culture for years to come. This year the location is at the Chinese Cultural Center 50 East Pender Street Vancouver BC with runway shows starting at 11.00am to 8pm. Tickets are $15 for more information BC Fashion Weeks website at http://www.bcfashionweek.com/
There is limited number of VIP seating available so please contact BC Fashion Week.

This year Bee the Change Aboriginal Fashion will feature 7 fabulous, ambitious, creative, designers from across Canada. They will show there designs to the fashion industry October 2, starting at 2pm. These designers are uniquely individual in design, style, market and inspiration. This show case will have traditional buckskin, birch bark, appliqué, natural fabrics, recycled materials, natural dyes, beadwork, and hand painted silks, appliqué, fur, knits, accessories, and aboriginal designer shoes like you never seen before. Each designer has there own way of using these material in a way that reflects there own style be it traditional , contemporary, futuristic, apparel industry, or historical pieces that are a reflection of the past culture of aboriginal people. This will be a great show of talented Aboriginal Design. This group is proudly Canadian feel it is important that there designs are made in Canada. You may consider many of these designs pieces of art and if it is one thing this group of designers agree on is if its not designed or made by aboriginal hands its not aboriginal art. This group of Aboriginal Designers has a strong sense of community, the environment, culture, and youth. It’s not enough that they design clothing, but focus on future economic opportunities for Canadians through their developing fashion design businesses.

Bee the Change has the pleasure of working with one of our favorite designers again Tracy Toulouse, earlier this year she participated in our first Bee the Change Aboriginal Fine Arts and Fashion Show at Peachfest Aboriginal Cultural Village in Penticton. After our show Tracy was a featured designer in the Fire and Fashion Live 2009 showcase in Toronto. Tracy is an internationally acclaimed Northern Ontario based designer an Ojibway from the Bear clan with her latest Swirling Wind Designs collection. The name Swirling Wind is the spirit name given to her daughter Silver who now walks among her ancestors. Swirling Wind line is infused with the artistic motifs that are recognized in the Aboriginal culture. The backdrop of this group uses the natural fabrics of leather, wool, and cotton; accentuated by hand-carved wood buttons, pipe bone and feather plumes. The production of this line is done in Northern Ontario and proudly made by First Nation people.

Another one of BTC featured designers of Bee the Change Aboriginal Fine Arts and Fashion Show was Gloria Cardinal’s Cedar & Berry collection of unique swimwear, easy-to-wear summer dresses and casual wear. Gloria also showcased her collection of handbags to accessorize her collection. . All of her garments and accessories are made with quality materials, many with organic cotton, bamboo, silk, linen and other natural fibers. Attention to detail and colourful items are her specialty. Cedar & Berry uses natural fabrics on all of the products displayed. Whether purchasing a colourful purse, a bamboo jersey dress, or a lycra/spandex swimsuit, Gloria Cardinal, Designer for Cedar & Berry is committed to a quality product.

Nadine Spence a designer of Rev/Evo Fashions I am an eco- friendly artist and designer everything I design and make is inspired by the environment and the sustainability of the environment. My message of preservation of Beautiful BC is from my artistic vision to finished product. I only use natural fabrics, natural dyes and recycle materials. My work comes to life in many different forms such as designer appliquéd artwork, wearable art, accessories and art designs. My appliquéd art pieces represent the rattlesnake, black widow, salmon, butterfly, frog and I am currently working on a dragonfly, hummingbird design. I mainly use the appliqué for the accessories such as purses. Some of the appliqué designs are inspired from my father’s artwork he did in the traditional black and red ink. I put my own spin by using natural fabrics and dyes appliqué with earthy contrasting colours reflections of Thompson/ Shushwap nation’s landscapes. Presently resides in sunny Kelowna.

Bee the Change is excited to announce Chessa Syrette a new designer that is capturing the fashion world with her unique and vibrant, fun-wearing, formal dress creations, inspired by nature’s beauty.
Chessa Syrette a graduate of George Brown’s fashion design program and has recently graduated from Algoma University’s Fine Arts program. Her academic accomplishments, combined with the skills and experience of custom designing for fashion shows, graduations and weddings have allowed her to further her passion as an artist, bringing her most recent design creations to life.
Chessa specializes in custom, formal dress designs that incorporate modern Aboriginal inspired details into each piece. Using beadwork, intricate seaming and exciting visual details, Chessa creates designs that make you feel confident and playful at the same time.

Danita Strawberry, acclaimed aboriginal fashion designer, and creative talent behind Danitaz Fashions offers collections of clothing lines that are inspired by her heritage and fashion sense and a commitment to bring clothes to life with a native flare.
As a member of both the Cree and Saulteaux tribes in Western Canada, Danita’s collection is a reflection of her strong cultural pride, inspired by the concept of how Native people of the past adorned their clothing for different things and to show their status. The beauty in these garments of the generations that came before brings her pride in her heritage and thus her way of honoring that is to bring that concept back in a contemporary form. .
Danita designs clothing that showcases her artistic talent by not only designing the clothing, but the artwork, embellishments and embroidery which makes her stand apart from others in this field. Danita’s desire is to add the native element to today’s fashion and share with fashion focused Canadians her love of native art. She looks to compete in the latest trends and designs fashionable clothing with distinctive designs that can be worn anywhere. From chic street wear, to the office, to haute couture, Danitaz Fashions speak to the heart of Canadian fashion; unique, and exciting.
Danitaz Fashions have been shown at Vancouver’s Fashion Week, L’Oreal Fashion Week, at the largest Native celebration in New Mexico called the “Gathering” and at the National Congress of American Indian’s (NCAI) Fashion Show in Denver, Colorado in 2007 to name a few. The most recent show was at the Fire and Fashion Extravaganza in Toronto in August 2009.
Her fashions are currently sold on line at www.danitazfashions.com

Shannon Kilroy designer of Earthline Contemporary Aboriginal fashions of Nlaka’pamux Nation commanded the runway with her Earthline Fashion’s collection of intricately detailed and adorned contemporary designs. Shannon’s fresh reflection of traditional images and the telling of cultural legends transitions to high fashion with ease. The colours of the silks and linens she uses reflect the landscape of the Plateau, and the beads, feathers and buckskin decorations recall traditional ornaments. Her newest themes are drawn from the legends of her people.

Linda Kay Peters is an Ojibway/Cree born in Red Lake, Ontario and now a member of the Seabird Island Band in British Columbia. She has one son, 3 stepchildren and is “Kookum” to 8 grandchildren.
Although Linda has no formal training, she always had an interest in sewing and as a child hand stitched all her own doll clothes. Later her grandmother taught her how to use the treadle sewing machine and in her early teens she began sewing her own clothes.
In 1996, Linda’s interest in designing native clothing was inspired by Carol Starlight Mason, a fashion designer from the Blood reserve in Alberta. Carol became her mentor and played a major part in inspiring her creativity. Since that time Linda has created vests, coats, and jackets for men, women and children. Her most recent work has been designing formal wear, and creating traditional dance regalia.

Some of the designs are her own creations depicting her OjiCree heritage and others are her interpretation of the West Coast, Sto: lo culture. Linda likes to promote other first nation artists and has been inspired by various First Nation artists and always ensures they receive this credit.
Linda’s creations have sparked interest in communities across Canada and she has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to do fashion shows in BC, Alberta, Ontario and recently Montana. Her greatest pride was when she was selected along with 10 other First Nation designers from across Canada to show her fashions at the National Aboriginal Music awards and the Sky dome Powwow held in Toronto in 2003.
Linda has been coordinating fashion shows since 1997 and noticed how her youth models experienced such a sense of pride after participating in one of her fashion shows. As a spin off from this she developed a youth self esteem workshop “Struttin Ur Stuff in Style”. This participatory self esteem workshop focusing on: Image, Teamwork, Leadership, Presenting Self to Public & Modeling. It is

Models that worked with BTC society earlier this year in a previous fashion show, and a group of aboriginal models from Edmonton, Alberta Canada will travel over just to be apart of B.C Fashion Week.. Thank you to BC Fashion Week for providing a show for Bee the Change Aboriginal Fashion, 2009. A special thanks to all of our supporters.
So we hope to see you there at BC Fashion Week ‘Bee the Change Aboriginal Fashion.’ So come before 2 pm October 2, 2009 and meet the designer, check out fine arts and fashion exhibits and enjoy some food.

Re: http://www.abtec.org/blog/?p=178

Beth Aileen Lameman — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:27:13 -0000

I like the new game name!

Re: First Nations / Second Life

John Toth — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:04:16 -0000

I work for an organisation in Sydney Australianthat is mandated to provide services and advice to the Indigenous (Koori) population of New South Wales. I am also a SL resident and would be able to assist there and RL.

I will be happy to pass on any material or networking suggestions that you may have. At present a number of staff are attending the Eighth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Again I would be happy to point them in your direction if you are attending.

Regards.

Re: Scathing review of Remix: New modernities in a post-Indian world

Beth Aileen Lameman — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:15:12 -0000

Ouch...

- Beth

Re: Interview with Michael Sheyahshe

jaspernotwell — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:19:47 -0000

Good interview. I hope you pointed him to the Skins blog, Beth. (http://www.skins.abtec.org/ if not.) We should start a seminary: "Therefore, as I seem to continually be ‘preaching’ in various magazine articles and especially in my book, we Indigenous people must become more creatively involved in these various aspects of popular culture, so that we start telling our own stories. We must be the ones to say how we are to be represented, not merely sitting on the sidelines commenting about it. Perhaps this is another reason I’ve chosen the particular professional field(s) so prevalent in my life."

Re: Interview with Michael Sheyahshe

Jason Lewis — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:21:12 -0000

I've already ordered the book.

Re: Game Development Team Traits

Beth A. Dillon — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:13:41 -0000

The Traits exercise turned out to be fairly accurate and successful, even though my intention wasn't to have the youth pinned into certain roles based on the exercise. It was just meant to get ideas brewing.

For the future, I want to revise the list by actually talking to HR departments and lead designers and producers at game companies myself rather than relying on articles. I also want to explore how job titles differ in game industry. For example, Skawennati is an Artist. Yes, with a capital A! In game industry, artists aren't usually the creative visionaries, but play more of a technical role or help the designer realize their vision. There are other traits, like being productive, that I'd hope everyone on a team to have since I feel that shouldn't just be put on programmers.

The overall process was solid. We added in a step on the fly---each person said what they got on their cards in a circle around the table before everyone flipped them over for the big reveal. I actually kept that there was anything meaningful on the other side hidden so it turned out to be a delightful surprise.

We also ended up choosing teams the next day and left them to think about their possible roles overnight, which I think was a good way of doing it. The exercise is really just meant to get people thinking, and I believe that if we chose roles right after, there may have been too much of a sense of "well the cards said this is what I should be, so I guess that's what I am..."

Also, very few youth are going to choose terms like "self-confident." Ha ha ha.