I've compiled some key stories along my board games journey to share with you.
The origins of my first board game
I was an Aanishinaabe langauge teacher in the "Soo" (Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario). When there weren't enough students to run a language class, I was often given History to teach.
Photo Caption: Darin, in front of his class of students about to share a story.
Where Necessity Sparked Creation
I was getting my students ready for their June exams. So, over the May long weekend, I created a study aid for them. At first, it was just a review sheet. Then flash cards. Then I thought it would be nice to play for something.
Photo Caption: Darin is cutting and pasting the original Truth and Consequence Cards for the Board Game.
Playing with High Stakes
What have we got? Land, Language, Culture, and Identity. These became the stakes in the Board Game.
Photo Caption: In early days of the Board Game, hair clips were used as player stands, along with homemade flashcards.
The Truth, On Pause
In the early Board Game, you were an Indigenous person playing against the Church and the Crown, trying to survive the colonization process.
The union I was a member of was looking for an activity or tool kit to help teachers navigate Truth and Reconciliation topics. I offered it to them but they declined. I also recall the Ministry of Education putting out a call for resources, but the requirements, just to apply, were onerous.
So in June, and the end of the school year, I put the Board Game away and went out to Prince George for the summer of 2017.
Picking up the pieces, again
When I got back to the Soo in September, I picked up the Board Game again. I thought, “Well, I’ll just do this with my own artwork.” I started looking into the cost of digitizing my pieces and reached out to a graphic designer for an estimate but at the time, I didn’t have the funds to move forward.
From Prototype to Possibility
Meanwhile, I attended the First Nations, Métis & Inuit Education Association of Ontario (FNMIEAO) conference in London, Ontario. Nelson Education was there, and they showed interest in the prototype of the Board Game. We arranged to meet later to talk more about the possibility of developing it further.
A Fortuitous Invitation
While at the FNMIEAO conference, someone recognized me from my Anishinaabe language video series on YouTube, which I learned are apparently quite popular. I was heard, and then invited to take part in a market in Rama, Ontario at the end of November.
Art Paid the Way
While at the market in Rama, a friend from the Soo mentioned they were meeting with an art dealer in Toronto and asked if I had any artwork with me. They invited me to come along, and the dealer ended up purchasing all of the originals I had with me. I used that money to finally hire the graphic designer to work her magic and bring the Board Game to life.
One Step Closer
I printed four copies of the Board Game. One of them was sent to Nelson Education for testing. When we met, they were genuinely surprised by how far I had taken it on my own.
That's a Shame
Nelson Education tested the Board Game and said it was strong overall, but they asked me to remove the Shame Cards, because the Catholic school boards didn’t approve of them. I said no. Instead, I offered to add Humility Cards alongside the Shame Cards, as a gesture of balance. They still said no. I haven’t heard much from Nelson Education since.
Photo Caption: People from Arts Council BC, testing out an early version of the Board Game.
Timing is Everything
Finally, I was directed to Medicine Wheel Publishing in Victoria, BC. I had considered them earlier, but dismissed the idea, as they primarily published for an elementary audience and, at the time, didn’t publish board games. I was surprised when Medicine Wheel Publishing called just a week later and offered to publish the Board Game.
A Game Changer
By August 2024, Medicine Wheel Publishing launched the first copies of The Truth in Truth and Reconciliation Educational Board Game, and it has been well-received!
Spreading The Truth
In addition to the first edition of the Board Game, for ages 14 and above, I've been collaborating with Medicine Wheel Publishing to create a version for elementary and middle schools (ages 7-13).
The Truth is Here
As of June 2025, over 2,500 of the 3,000 copies of the Board Game have already sold!
The Learning Continues
I'm excited to announce that The Truth in Truth and Reconciliation Educational Board Game for Elementary and Middle Schools is available in September 2025!
As this journey continues, The Reconciliation Board Game will soon be in development, along with another game idea that I've been working on.
Miigwetch, Miigwetch, Miigwetch for your support!
James Darin Corbiere
