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The Moccasin Game

This film looks at the ritual, tradition and legend of the moccasin game, an ancient and popular form of gambling said to have originated with the Sioux. A tournament held at the Sioux Valley Reservation near Brandon, Manitoba, brings together Sioux from both Canada and the United States to compete for high stakes in what is believed to be the oldest sleight-of-hand game in the world.
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This film looks at the ritual, tradition and legend of the moccasin game, an ancient and popular form of gambling said to have originated with the Sioux. A tournament held at the Sioux Valley Reservation near Brandon, Manitoba, brings together Sioux from both Canada and the United States to compete for high stakes in what is believed to be the oldest sleight-of-hand game in the world.

Sports and Leisure Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) All subjects
  • director
    Frank Corcoran
  • producer
    Dennis Sawyer
  • script
    Douglas Cameron
  • cinematography
    Roland Pirker
  • sound
    Ervin Copestake
  • editing
    Dagmar Taborsky
  • re-recording
    Hans Peter Strobl

Education

Ages 14 to 18
School subjects
Indigenous Studies - Arts Indigenous Studies - History/Politics Indigenous Studies - Identity/Society

This documentary on First Nations traditional gaming would be a great entry point for learning more about the many games that Nations play across Canada. Research the many types of traditional games that specific Nations continue to play. How can gaming be a method for skill-building and social development? Research how First Nations games can contribute to building foundational knowledge, education, socialization and survival skills.

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The Moccasin Game
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