Ikitowinan - Syllabic Scrabble
Background Context
While working on Sandy Lake Reserve I encountered an elderly Priest who had worked in the north most of his life. He showed me a very old teaching method for learning syllabic writing within a couple of hours. Having tried to learn this many times before without success, I was delighted to learn syllabic writing by way of this very clever method.It struck me that if a syllabics scrabble game could be developed using this method of laying out the letters, it might prove to be a useful tool in spreading the use of syllabic writing, facilitating its access by students, and making a culturally appropriate game for the First Nations community.
Approach Used
I started to work with some others to develop this game just prior to my leaving the north and continued it after leaving.
- I researched the nature and structure of the grammatical construction of the Oji-Cree dialect of the local group living in Sandy Lake.
- I developed a rule-set to work with the differing meaning of "words" they use core word-stems with added prefixes and suffixes, so the concept of the game had to be modified from the English versions.
- I sent the rule-sets to other language group representatives to have translated and adapted.
- I incorporated symbols into the game for other dialects
- I had the game proof tested prior to production.
- I made several hundred prototype games on a low-budget production format.
- I tried to market it as best I could, but lacked outlets and funding I included scenes of it being played in my film, Cradle of Syllabics, Cradle of Peace?
Current Status
There are prototype copies remaining, but most have now been sold or disposed of. It is no longer available.Findings To Date
Great concepts can fall by the wayside for a host of reasons which have nothing to do with their intrinsic value. Any production requires resources and funding beyond the scope of most individuals and small groups. Look before you leap.
Lateral Connections
Required for Completion
Finished.