About

Meet the characters at the heart of Powwow Bound’s story and discover the places that shape their return to the Menominee reservation.

About the characters

DJ | Deborah Jo Andrekos (She/Her)

DJ is the main character in Powwow Bound. Daughter of Laura and Eric, older sister to Aaron, 15-year-old DJ has an old soul and a keen eye for photography.

Aaron | Aaron Andrekos (He/Him)

Playful, immature, gamer. At first glance, 10 year old Aaron appears to be a stereotypical annoying little brother, but beneath it all, he has a deep care and respect for his family.

Mom | Laura Andrekos (She/Her)

Caring, witty, guarded. A member of the Menominee tribe, she used to be a great dancer, but hasn’t joined the powwow dance circle since before DJ and her brother were born. DJ is determined to find out why.

Dad | Eric Andrekos (He/Him)

Easygoing, goofy, and supportive, DJ’s dad is her greatest inspiration as a photographer. He is not a Menominee, but has rapidly grown to love his in-laws and the reservation.

Uncle Gerald | Gerald Waeqtenekan Jr. (He/Him)

Sentimental, jovial, handy. Shawnee’s dad, Laura’s oldest brother, DJ’s uncle. He runs a beading stand at the powwow.

Shawnee | Shawnee Waeqtenekan (She/Her)

Fun-loving, ambitious, athletic. DJ’s cousin, Gerald’s daughter. Shawnee is a talented dancer who often gets compared to DJ’s mom. DJ looks up to Shawnee, even though she’s only a year older.

 

“For me, accurate representation means a few things when it comes to Menominee culture and identity. When designing the characters, I wanted to make sure that they were not the caricatures that we see in other media, but more so archetypes of people that we interact with everyday.”

Nicholas SchwitzerCharacter Concept Artist

 

“Authentic representation in this game is strengthened through a people and place based approach. The team has been very intentional in how the story, characters, and world is portrayed.”

Justin Eagle GauthierNarrative Writer

About the locations

Woodland Bowl

A natural amphitheater located on the Menominee Reservation, the Menominee Annual Contest Powwow is held at the Woodland Bowl each August. During the powwow, the Woodland Bowl is the center of the universe!

A serene lakeside scene with a wooden dock, surrounded by a lush forest. A parked car and picnic items are visible, suggesting a tranquil retreat.

Family Lake Lot

Jutting out from the picturesque shoreline of Legend Lake, the lake lot has been in the Waqtaenekan family for generations. Not only a great fishing spot, it’s an excellent home base when visiting the powwow.

Vendors’ Row

Vendors’ row is the perfect place to enjoy classic powwow foods, peruse traditional crafts, and learn about local programs. Remember to check out Uncle Robert’s frybread and Uncle Gerald’s beadwork!

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.