LITTLE CURRENT—It is difficult to have conversations about heavy subjects like the Indian Act, residential schools, and cultural genocide. James Darin Corbiere, (Waabi Makoohns, Bear Clan), born and raised in Wiikwemkoong, has given the world a way to begin this talk. James is a childhood church trauma survivor, who became a peace keeper (police officer) and later, an Indigenous language teacher. His educational board game ‘The Truth in Truth and Reconciliation’ gives participants the experience of being an Indigenous person attempting to survive the theft of land, culture, identity and language.
The game comes with an extensive guide, references and warnings: “Subject matter includes abuse, violence, assault, suicide, death, abduction, racism, sexism, classism, and cultural genocide. The contents of this activity are based on real events in Canadian history that may be emotionally and intellectually challenging to engage with. This activity is crafted as a guide to help people engage bravely, empathetically, and thoughtfully with difficult content.”
As the game progresses, “shame” cards build up on the government and church for their deeds. These also can be removed through reconciliation efforts.
On September 30, the game was out at the new Every Child Matters educational area at the Little Current United Church as an act of education, truth telling and reconciliation.
Selena Bruno, age 10, found herself playing a status Anishinaabe male. When she reached the end of the game she observed, “I don’t think I like this game.”
Her mother, Rev. Whitney Bruno, facilitating, replied, “Then you played it right.”
Rev. Bruno explained to participants that there is no “winning” in the game. There is just experiencing.
The McCutcheon family found themselves playing a Metis status woman and a Haida status man. Very quickly the impact of the Indian Act on different sexes appeared when government acts stripped the woman of identity cards.
Karen Carlson was “enfranchised” and lost half of her language, culture, identity and land cards. She observed, “I am not going to last very long.”
Deep conversation ensured, and also getting out phones to look for more information on Louis Riel. That is the goal of the game—to open the way to receive these truths and to seek more. The game is labeled “volume 1 of 2,” implying that the Reconciliation in Truth and Reconciliation is not yet released. But perhaps that experience is for you to live and design in your own life.
The Truth in Truth and Reconciliation is available at MedicineWheelPublishing.com. Two versions of the game are out – one designed for primary school ages and the other for secondary to adult school ages. (About $100 CAD). You can borrow the game at Little Current United Church through a grant from the Canadian Shield Right Relations Team. Email lcucpc@gmail.com or dial 705-368-2941.
by Rev. Whitney Bruno
