École Dugald School Launches ÉDS Dragons Esports Lab for Competitive Gaming

Language, Culture, and Truth and Reconciliation in Esports 

 Grade 7/8 students from Mahpiya Hdega (Dakota Plains) School in the Manitoba First Nations School System recently participated in a Minecraft Education design challenge which asked them to work in teams to collaborate, think critically, communicate, and execute a design of a unique and new school esports logo!

 Students first discussed the economic boom of the Esports industry internationally, in the United States, and recently in Canada, and what titles are currently played by middle years schools participating in the Manitoba Schools Esport Association (MSEA). Students also talked about indigenous gamers in the industry, like "Marmar", Marlan Weekusk from Onion Lake Cree Nation, and "Moose Tree Gaming", Jon-Ross Merasty-Moose from Manitoba, who represent some of the few indigenous gamers online in Canada. 

 Students in Natasha Hunter's Grade 7/8 classroom first brainstormed ideas about what is essential to Dakota youth regarding language, culture, and history. Arbor, regalia, the seven teachings, and the medicine wheel were just some of the ideas generated. Then, students searched and looked at traditional sports and esports logos from professional teams, paying attention to their design features and listing those separately. Their job was to incorporate items from both lists into their esports logo, using materials available in Minecraft Education. Still, first, they tested designs on graph paper and kept in mind that their creations needed to be pixilated and collaborated in teams to construct their unique creations. 

 After bringing each student's design to be voted on by the entire school, Kennice and Felicity were voted the winners. Kennice and Felicity shared, in their own words, their choices:

 "Flowers remind me of the beadwork on regalia, lanyards, mocassins, and keychains. The colours that we picked for the background represent the Northern Lights. Our entire logo is a Dream Catcher, with feathers hanging with beads. We included grandmother moon as well. In the outline of the dreamcatcher, we used the four colours of the medicine wheel (yellow, red, white, and black)"

 Kennice and Felicity's teacher, Natasha Hunter, was thrilled at the potential of integrating Dakota culture and technology through digital game-based learning. 

 Mrs. Hunter stated, "During our thought process of creating the logos for Dakota Plains School, all the students were engaged and gave so many great ideas. Some students incorporated the Dakota Language, and some students used sacred animals. Each student was involved from brainstorming to the very end of designing their logo. The students who won the logo contest are two of our timid students. Watching them express their artistic ability and describe what it means to them has shown and taught me how important technology within the classroom is for all learners. The grade 7/8 class is looking forward to joining esports very soon." 

 Joan-West Smoke, principal of Mahpiya Hdega School, recently purchased video game hardware so that Dakota Plains students can participate in future MSEA seasons as she understands the value and benefits an Esports program can offer students in her indigenous community and the available career pathways, as result of participation in esports like graphic design, shout casting, audiovisual, etc... "After a hosting an esports tournament of our own, we feel confident that students will be able to compete at the Manitoba Scholastic Esports Expo put on by MSEA in May and students can thrive in the gaming environment, surrounded by like-minded youth. However, this will also allow our students to take pride in where they come from, taking confidence from something they enjoy, like gaming and pairing that with pride in being indigenous and Dakota."