Kji-Wikuom Studios
Kji-Wikuom is Mi'kmaw for "The Great Wigwam". It symbolizes the traditional gathering place where members of a Mi'kmaw community would share stories.
Kji-Wikuom Studios is a first-of-its-kind sound recording and video production studio located in Eskasoni First Nation, Unama'ki. It is devoted to the preservation of Mi'kmaw language through music, interviews, video, recordings, performances, and of course stories.
The studio and its team have been an incredible project partner, assisting us with support in many different areas, including casting, sound recording & engineering, promotions, and more.
Tom has been instrumental in providing guidance and direction regarding subject matter, story, and language. Janaya has assisted with casting, scheduling, and logistics. In addition to sound recording and engineering services, Tristan, Jaiden, and Isaac from the production team have represented our game at both Game Con Canada and Gamescom Germany. They've had interactions with gamers and enthusiasts from around the world who have expressed their interest in the game and in learning more about Mi'kmaw language and culture.
To check out Kji-Wikuom Studios and their projects, please visit them at:
Mi'kmaw Artist Loretta Gould
Loretta Gould is a Mi'kmaw Artist based in Waycobah, Unama'ki. She is renowned for her use of colour and spirituality. She is a self-taught artist whose skills began working with fabrics and evolved into acrylics. Her work has been featured around the world in galleries, prints, and commissioned works.
Loretta has created a number of original pieces for this project and elements of her work are featured throughout the game.
Samples of Loretta's Works in-Game
Here you can see images from the game's Level 2 featuring drawings provided by Loretta: Eagle, Whale, Sea Turtle.
Contact Loretta
We encourage you to check out Loretta's incredible work. To commission an original piece or order prints of her work, please visit:
https://mikmaq-artist.com
Culture, Language, and Translation - Tom and Carol Ann Johnson
Tom and Carol Ann Johnson are a duo from Eskasoni First Nation who are devoted to the preservation of the Mi'kmaw language. They gained fame a number of years ago for dubbing the British stop-motion movie Chicken Run into Mi'kmaw.
As Chair for the Canadian Commission of United Nations Education Science Culture Organization (UNESCO), Tom actively engages in language advocacy, contributing to the Nova Scotia Language Legislation Committee and National Weather Network Indigenous Advisory Circle.
A co-founder of the Eskasoni Mi’kmaw Language Initiative, Tom is a first language speaker actively involved in film productions as an advisor, voice actor and musician. With three decades of experience, his career reflects a commitment to sustaining language, culture, and natural resources, bringing the Mi'kmaq people and their language to the world.
Tom and Carol Ann have been instrumental in this project providing support for language, translation, subject matter, casting, and more.
Kji-Wikuom Studios rose from their passion to celebrate and preserve the Mi'kmaw language.
Voice Performances
All voices throughout the game are being performed by Mi'kmaw speakers.
Briseis Dennis - Voice of Wasuek
Wasuek is being played by Briseis Dennis. Briseis is from Eskasoni First Nation and is a student at Allison Bernard Memorial High School.
Ainsley Denny - Voice of U'n
U'n is being played by Ainsley Denny from Eskasoni First Nation. Ainsley is currently in her second year of studies at Cape Breton university.
Bernie Francis - Voice of Kluskap
Kluskap is being played by Bernie Francis. Bernie is a Mi'kmaw Elder, linguist, published author, musician, and singer. Bernie grew up in Membertou First Nation.
Bernie is the co-author of the Francis-Smith Orthography, which was developed in 1974 and accepted as the official orthography of the Mi'kmaw Nation (declared by the Grand Council) in 1980. He received an Honorary Doctorate from Dalhousie University in recognition of his work in this area.
Stay tuned for more cast announcements!
Motion Performances
Certain character performances in the game have been captured using mo-cap (motion capture) technology. Our performers are:
Jeff Ward
Jeff is a cultural expert and Director of Community Culture and Heritage for Wagmatcook First Nation. Jeff is also the former general manager of Membertou Heritage Park.
Ainsley Denny
Ainsley, who performs the voice of U'n, is also an extremely accomplished athlete. She provided the project with a wide range of motion performances.
Scholarship Partner - Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey
Mikmaw Kina'matnewey (MK) will be overseeing the disbursement of our upcoming scholarship fund.
As the collective voice for Mi'kmaq education, MK's mission is to actively promote excellence in Mikmaq education, interests and rights for Mikmaw communities and to facilitate the development of lifelong learning. MK's vision is a successful holistic life-long journey rooted in Mi'kmaw language and culture. They serve 12 out of the 13 Mi'kmaq communities found within the Nova Scotian Mi'kma'ki territory.
For more information, please visit MK's website at www.kinu.ca
