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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 15, 2017)
8 NOVEMBER 15, 2017 S moke S ignals Indigenous game developer under fire By Danielle Frost Smoke Signals staff writer To say that Elizabeth LaPensée’s new video game has caused a stir is a bit of an understatement. The 33-year-old former Grand Ronde-area resident and indige- nous game developer is under fire from the oil industry as well as state legislators in Minnesota, who claim her latest creation, “Thun- derbird Strike,” is encouraging eco-terrorism. In the 2-D, side-scrolling game, players can control a thunderbird — a symbol in several indigenous cultures — that destroys a snake, which is sym- bolic for the oil in- dustry’s pipelines. However, LaP- ensée said that the thunderbirds also can use their light- ning strikes to heal animals and people in the game, and each move has an equal num- ber of points. “I am passing on stories from my community with this game,” LaPensée said. “If anyone plays the game, they will see it advocates for healing of the land. I think (the backlash) comes from a lack of understanding the game. In some ways, people are looking for a target and I unintentionally provided one for them. The term ‘eco-terrorism’ is a bit scary to me. I am not an eco-terrorist at all.” She launched “Thunderbird Strike,” at the ImagineNATIVE fes- tival in Toronto, Canada, in mid-Oc- tober. According to the organization’s website, it is the world's largest pre- senter of indigenous screen content. The game was awarded Best Digital Media, which LaPensée said is the highest honor in her field. LaPensée said that feedback on the game was overall positive, with one Tribe referring to it as “humor- ous and historically accurate.” “The idea was to playtest the game with people, and then make it as great as possible,” she said. “You listen to your players, then iterate the design based on feedback.” “Thunderbird Strike” will be available as an app for both An- droid and iPhone in December. The game was funded in part with a $3,710 Artist Fellowship grant from the Arrowhead Re- gional Arts Council of Minnesota. One of the criticisms LaPensée is facing is that she lives in Michigan now, but obtained a grant from Minnesota. “I moved here for an incredible work opportunity, and substan- tially completed the project before leaving the state,” she said. “I be- lieve in myself and the integrity of this project, and am still working on projects in Minnesota.” LaPensée is an assistant pro- fessor of Media and Information, as well as Writing, Rhetoric and American Cultures at Michigan State University. During her 10 years in the Grand Ronde area, LaPensée, who iden- tifies as Anishinaabe, Métis and For more than 10 years, she has Isaac Murdoch, offered workshops to partners in- and whose image cluding the United Indian Students is part of the inspi- in Higher Education Youth Day in ration behind the Portland; Aboriginal Youth Science video game. Exchange Camp in Sault Ste. Ma- “(Her) heart rie, Ontario; Urban Native Youth shows us that love Association in Vancouver, British is at the center of Columbia; Native Girls Code for healing and tend- Gen7 in Seattle, Wash.; Electa ing to the waters,” Quinney Institute for American it states. Indian Education in Milwaukee, The other art- Wis.; and Salish Kootenai College ist who inspired in Polson, Mont. LaPensée’s cre- Contributed photos “I grew up designing and I was a ation is Métis gamer,” she said. “But I never saw Former Willamina resident artist and scholar myself depicted in anything. I knew Dylan Miner, who Elizabeth LaPensée, left, has if I wanted to play a game with has created art in created an indigenous video accurate representation, I would support of banning game called “Thunderbird have to design it myself.” pipelines on indig- Strike” that is being criticized Although LaPensée has moved enous lands. by the dominant culture as across the country, she still visits “This game is promoting eco-terrorism Grand Ronde and considers the really focused on because a thunderbird area a big part of her life. restoration,” she destroys a snake, which is “Everyone who has helped contrib- said. ute to who I am today, that means symbolic of oil pipelines. In addition to a lot to me,” she said. “I honor all “Thunderbird of those who were fundamental for Strike,” LaPensée has developed Irish, was active in the local com- both myself and my children.” several video games, board games, munity, taking cultural classes and To learn more about the game, comics, singing games, animations, participating in events along with visit www.thunderbirdstrike.com. artwork and stories. her children. “While I was in Grand Ronde, my son made a drum there with a Tribal Elder,” she said. “That will always be a part of my children and myself.” Two years ago, after her Willami- na home was destroyed by wildfire, she and her two children, then 4 and 7, moved to Minnesota. “I lost everything but my laptop, car and some clothes,” she said. “We lived on the road for a few months, and I decided that was the time to take a chance because I didn’t real- ly have to bring anything, and see if I could find work in Minnesota.” LaPensée said her identity as an indigenous woman has gotten lost in the media storm of the past few weeks. “I created this game because I am an indigenous mother raising my children, and we are passing on these Thunderbird stories in Photos by Michelle Alaimo the hope that the water will be well Gov. Kate Brown ceremonially signs Senate Bill 80 at the Oregon State enough for our children and future Capitol building in Salem on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Tribal Elders and Marine generations to thrive.” The game’s website states that Corps veterans Reyn Leno, behind Brown on the left, and Steve Bobb in some Thunderbird stories, it has Sr., to the right of Leno, were in attendance for the signing. Bobb been said that for generations the testified before the Senate for the bill and both Bobb and Leno testified thunderers brought forth rain and before the House during the public hearings for the bill. SB 80 directs fires that renewed the lands and the state Director of Veterans Affairs to provide aid and assistance to the waters for plants, animals and federally recognized Indian Tribes in Oregon with regard to programs of fish. However, the unsatisfiable service for Native American veterans and accreditation of federal Tribal greed of another people brought veterans representatives. about such vast changes to the lands and waters that the people Tribal Elder cried out for the return of the Thun- and Marine derbird people and their searing Corps lightning. veteran Under the “act” tab of the game’s website, there is a description Reyn Leno, about the effect of oil pipelines on left, talks waterways. with Gov. “The Great Lakes need protec- Kate Brown tion to ensure the well-being of all before she of us,” it states. “Line 5, built by signed Enbridge in 1953, was designed to Senate Bill last only until 2003. Every day, the 80 at the pipeline puts the Great Lakes at Oregon risk by transferring 540,000 barrels of Alberta tar sands and Bakken State Capitol crude oil.” building. It also encourages users to share the message of Thunderbird Wom- an, drawn by Anishinaabe artist SB 80 signing