Experience Menominee culture and traditions in this narrative-driven game.

Powwow Bound: A Menominee Homecoming is a 3D narrative-driven adventure game suitable for ages ten and up. Experience the story of a Menominee family returning to the reservation for the annual contest powwow. Play as Deborah Jo (DJ) as she works to uncover her mom’s history with the powwow dance circle.

Nebraska Public Media logo with two stacked blue speech bubbles beside bold text reading ‘Nebraska Public Media’.
Vision Maker Media logo with orange bird silhouette over turquoise ‘V’, next to bold text reading ‘VISION MAKER MEDIA’.
PBS Wisconsin logo with stylized white profile of a face in a blue circle next to bold blue text reading ‘PBS Wisconsin’.
Large crowd gathered outdoors in a forested amphitheater, many in traditional Native regalia, attending a powwow.

Who are the Menominee?

The Menominee are an Algonquin tribe in the Great Lakes region whose homelands encompass what is now known as Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. They are one of two tribes who have always lived in Wisconsin, and now reside on the Menominee Reservation located 30 minutes west of Green Bay.

The name Menominee is derived from the Ojibwe word “manoomin,” which means “wild rice.” This name was established through communications between European settlers and the Ojibwe, who called the tribe “The People of the Wild Rice.”

Today, the Menominee are most well known for their sustainable forestry practices, their tribal college, and a successful Tribal Restoration grassroots campaign known as DRUMS.

Play the game

Tips for Getting Started

  1. Click the “New Game” button to begin playing.
  2. Play on your computer. The game is playable on both Mac and Windows computers, but is not available on tablets or mobile devices.
  3. Use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari. The game is not optimized for other browsers, such as Firefox.
  4. Check your audio. Playing with audio enabled is recommended, especially for the dance-related sections of the game.
  5. Use full-screen mode for a better experience. Click the ‘Full Screen’ button beneath the game to enable full-screen mode. Press the ‘Escape’ key to exit full-screen mode.

“I never thought I’d see a game version of the powwow. I feel special to live in this time.”

– Menominee Player

Educator Guide

In a classroom setting, educators can share Powwow Bound: A Menominee Homecoming to support learners in grades 3-8 in learning about the culture and traditions of Wisconsin First Nations to meet the requirements of Wisconsin Act 31. The game’s educator guide offers background information, state standards, guiding questions, and a Menominee glossary.

“We’ve worked toward providing an experience that is a slice of life and represents a wholly unique worldview from any other video game in history.”

– Justin Eagle Gauthier, Narrative Writer

Explore More

Tribal Histories: Menominee History

Tribal Histories: Menominee History

Tribal elder David Grignon shares the oral tradition of the Menominee people.
The Ways: Living Language

The Ways: Living Language

Ron Corn Jr. hopes his daughter will be a first-language Menominee speaker.
Wisconsin Life: Mill Talk

Wisconsin Life: Mill Talk

The Menominee Tribal Enterprises Sawmill has developed their own unique sign language.
The Last Menominee

The Last Menominee

A documentary about the effects of U.S. federal ``termination`` of a Menominee reservation.
Re/Sound: Wade Fernandez

Re/Sound: Wade Fernandez

Living on the Menominee Reservation, Wade Fernandez finds inspiration for his music in nature.
Wisconsin First Nations

Wisconsin First Nations

An educational website designed to help K-12 educators teach about Wisconsin's Native Nations in accordance with Education Act 31 requirements.

Funding

Funding for Powwow Bound: A Menominee Homecoming is provided by Vision Maker Media, Steven Vedro and Beverly Gordon, the Focus Fund for Wisconsin Programs, and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.