Biskaabiiyaang: The Indigenous Metaverse
Imagine a world where Anishinaabe culture thrives, where anyone can go on adventures or sit by the fire and listen to the Elder’s teachings. A world where even the trees, plants, fish, and birds all have something to teach through quests, stories, and the language itself. Imagine a place where you can connect with others and learn how to be well in the world. Welcome to Biskaabiiyaang.
Partnership with UniVirtual.
By fusing virtual metaverse technologies and traditional Anishinaabe storytelling practices, Biskaabiiyaang provides inclusive, sustainable, high-quality intercultural learning materials produced by and in support of Indigenous Peoples.
UniVirtual has partnered with Nokiiwin Tribal Council and York University to become the technical service provider for Biskaabiiyaang. We play a crucial role in designing and developing the visual and interactive components of the project’s virtual world. While we do not directly participate in Indigenous knowledge sharing and collection, we handle all technical aspects of translating this material into the metaverse, as directed by Nokiiwin Tribal Council.
We are developing advanced virtual environments that archive and safeguard traditional Anishinaabe language, landscapes, history, and storytelling.
Throughout project development and beyond, UniVirtual respects Indigenous knowledge, histories, language, sciences, and philosophies. The team has also undertaken training in Indigenous Cultural Competency and Trauma-Informed Practices as part of York University's Glendon Continuing Education program. The project adheres to The First Nations Principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession – more commonly known as OCAP®. Learn more.
Watch the Trailer.
Biskaabiiyaang describes the experience of having been on a long journey, then reaching the point of returning home. It is an Anishinaabe word for cultural resurgence, for resisting colonial violence, and for reclaiming our ways of being Anishinaabe through contemporary practices.
Project Milestones.
UN World Summit on the Information Society.
At the UN World Summit on the Information Society 2023, Biskaabiiyaang shared insights and experiences while constructing an Indigenous-led metaverse. The session, “Gamifying Indigenous Knowledge to create a path towards Healing and Reconciliation through the Metaverse”, was a welcoming environment of collaboration and understanding that explored the potential for a truly inclusive metaverse.
SDG Game Change Award Finalists.
Biskaabiiyaang were proud to be finalists in The International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) SDG Digital GameChangers Awards 2023. This award honours individuals and organizations working towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through digital projects and efforts.
Read more about the award, the winners, and finalists, here.
Sweetgrass Teaching Website.
To celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023, Biskaabiiyaang launched an Indigenous teaching that UniVirtual transformed into an online game: the sweetgrass cards.
Start your journey to become a Sweetgrass Warrior today!
Demo Launch.
On the occasion of Anishinaabe Giizhigad 2023 (Anishinaabe Day), Biskaabiiyaang released the project’s first demo. From the moment you start playing, you’re greeted by breath-taking natural landscapes, vibrant recreations of Anishinaabe imagery, and introduced to the storyline.
Connected Minds Research Project.
UniVirtual parters with “Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society”, a groundbreaking interdisciplinary research program led by York University and the largest in the university’s history.
Global Community for UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages
Biskaabiiyaang joins UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032 as part of its global community platform. The project joins 1,400 associated organizations working together to promote and protect Indigenous languages.
Demo now.
Demo now.
The Biskaabiiyaang demo helps you get to grips with traversing terrain and discovering cultural objects and their history, all while learning Anishinaabemowin along the way. Explore post-apocalyptic ruins and learn how Indigenous Knowledge plays a part in returning magic and beauty to this virtual world.
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"Biskaabiiyaang is an outstanding example of effective knowledge transfer between university research and the tech/gaming community through cooperation and participation with stakeholders from civil society, especially First Nations."
— Manouchehr Shamsrizi, Co-Founder, gamelab.berlin of Humboldt-Universität's Cluster of Excellence
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"The approach is really brilliant and has immense reach. This picture of a post-apocalyptic world in which it is necessary to think quickly and seek and heal and regenerate older resources is something that could apply to so many places in the world, in this time of decline and disillusion.”"
— Dr Howie Firth, Director of Orkney Science Festival
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"Biskaabiiyaang is a safe space where we can gather together. You and your friends, or whole classes, can come into Biskaabiiyaang and play with the language and the culture. This living archive is where Elders, youth, and the Knowledge Keepers from these communities have a place to put their teachings and interact with them"
— Professor Maya Chacaby, York University
Get Involved.
Learn more about the project and find out how you can support this groundbreaking initiative at: