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Go on a 3D narrative-driven adventure — ‘Powwow Bound: A Menominee Homecoming’!
August 4, 2025 Leave a Comment
Experience a 3D narrative-driven adventure in Powwow Bound: A Menominee Homecoming, a video game following a Menominee family returning home to the reservation for the annual contest powwow.
Concept art from ‘Powwow Bound: A Menominee Homecoming’ depicting DJ (middle) and family members at their campsite.
This immersive story is set in and around the Menominee Reservation in northeastern Wisconsin as a family re-connects with relatives and community at the annual Menominee Nation Contest Powwow in Keshena, Wisconsin.
The goal of the game is to authentically present the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin as it exists today and allow players to learn about the culture and traditions of the tribe through the lens of the annual contest powwow. Play as a teenage girl Deborah Jo (DJ), who helps her family prepare for a special dance honoring their deceased grandfather and helps their mother rejoin the dance circle along the way.
Concept art from Powwow Bound: A Menominee Homecoming depicting characters watching the contest powwow in the Woodland Bowl.
Powwow Bound: A Menominee Homecoming was developed through a partnership between PBS Wisconsin and Nebraska Public Media, and funded by Vision Maker Media. Game development was led by Nebraska Public Media game producer/developer Jacob Schwitzer and PBS Wisconsin interactive media producer Angelina Shi.
“What is spectacular about this project is that there is Menominee representation at all levels of development,” said Nicholas Schwitzer, character concept artist. “To have this project pitched by [my brother] Jacob, a Menominee first descendant, sets a new standard of active Indigenous engagement. He employed Menominee people throughout the development process but also collaborated with other tribal entities to make use of local resources like the College of Menominee Nation’s Digital Media Lab to record the voices.”
“Authentic representation in this game is strengthened through a people- and place-based approach,” writer Justin Eagle Gauthier said. “The team has been very intentional in how the story, characters and world are portrayed to a larger gaming public. At its core, this approach has involved many members of the Menominee community representing an array of experiences and belonging to that community.”
The game is also available on the Wisconsin First Nations website along with an educator guide from PBS Wisconsin Education. The guide includes background information, state standards, guiding questions and a Menominee glossary.
The game is playable on both Mac and Windows computers, but is not available on tablets or mobile devices.
Amy Slagle says:
So proud to see Jacob and Nicholas were integral to this! Way to go, guys. Love, Dr Amy