We are helping to revitalize Ojibwe culture through engaging games that empower all generations to connect, learn, and preserve Native language and traditions.
Our founder’s story inspired our mission
After seeing firsthand how Ojibwe heritage can erode in just a few generations, Tony Drews (Chinoodin) decided to do something about it. With the help of Mindy Meyers (Waapishki Kiisis Ikwe Nashke), he created Nashke Native Games, a social enterprise dedicated to embracing and celebrating Ojibwe language and culture through the joy of play.
Tony’s great-great grandmother
Only spoke Ojibwe
Tony’s grandmother
Sent to boarding school where she wasn’t allowed to speak Ojibwe
Tony’s father
Only speaks English
Tony
Bringing language back!
Preserving Native language and culture through the joy of play, education, and community.
Our Vision
Nashke Native Games aims to be an integral part of language and culture acquisition for Native American communities so that Native Languages and Culture are known to all.
Our Mission
Increase awareness of Ojibwe language and culture through gameplay, support the Native community through scholarships and other investments, and help other tribes do the same.
Our Values
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Authenticity and Transparency
doing things the right way. In the gathering of the knowledge and teachings that are shared through our games
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Play and Wonder
as the basis for building connection to the knowledge we aspire to communicate through our games
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Education and Wisdom
protect our language and customs from becoming extinct
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Support and Community
to support our communities' cultural empowerment.
A note about our Reimagined Traditional Games:
Our reimagined traditional games are not meant to emulate the true traditional games that they represent. Though the game play may be similar, these games have been created as learning tools and do not represent the cultural and Spiritual counterparts that they were modeled after.
Meet the Team
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Tony (Chinoodin) Drews
FOUNDER & CEO
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Waapishki Kiisis Ikwe (Mindy Meyers)
CO-FOUNDER & COO
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Sophie Glass
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
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Gabrielle Farrell
ARTIST
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William Brien
ARTIST
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Chelsea Smith
ARTIST
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Nicole Beane
EVENT STAFF / ARTIST
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Justyne Vogel
EVENT STAFF
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Serenity Williams
EVENT STAFF
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Adrianna Warden
EVENT STAFF
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Elizabeth Hendrickson
EVENT STAFF
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Tonya Flower
EVENT STAFF
Nashke Games aims to transform Ojibwe culture and language into reimagined-traditional, and contemporary gameplay to support Ojibwe language and culture preservation, acquisition, and revitalization.
The story behind our logo
The Nashke Native Games brand is as deeply rooted in culture as its mission. The logo was inspired by Anishinaabe petroglyphs which embody the gestural nature of play.
The figure is both celebratory and inviting, welcoming everyone to the table to play, practice language, and build new connections through cultural teachings.