Pimachiowin Aki - January Monthly Museum Minecraft

Take students on a journey using power of Minecraft to explore the winter campsite of an Anishinaabe community in Pimachiowin Aki, “The Land that Gives Life.”  Situated on Miskwewesibi, also known as the Bloodvein River, this campsite lies at the heart of the snowy Boreal Forest. 

Students will meet in-game versions of real Elders and Knowledge Carriers in the community, who welcome the player as a guest. Under their guidance, students will learn traditional activities that have been practiced from time immemorial to today, which will help the community survive the cold winter days and nights.

Throughout the lesson, an Indigenous Museum Educator will make connections between objects and belongings encountered in the game with their real-world counterparts represented in the collections that reside at ROM.

Whether dogsledding, trapping, ice fishing, or bow hunting, students will learn about the responsibility we all have to care for the land and use it sustainably, taking only what is needed and giving back to the forest. Through these activities, students may begin to understand the spiritual and cultural importance of the land to some Anishinaabe and other Indigenous Peoples.

Please note:  Minecraft is rated E10+ (Everyone 10+). While the Minecraft game environment does not include depictions of blood, this lesson does include activities in which students will use tools and weapons to hunt and kill in-game rabbits, fish, and moose for their meat and hides. 

• January 14, 2026 – 9:30 AM
• After the live lesson airs, classes may register to view the recording.

While the virtual lesson is only offered in English for now, you can follow this tutorial to translate the game language into French.

Dialogue in this Minecraft World will appear in English even if the game settings are set to French, but can be translated with the Immersive Reader as shown in the tutorial above. 

Preparation:

Students should be comfortable with the basics of Minecraft, including movement and the breaking and placing of blocks. Students should also be familiar with using the camera and book & quill to document learning.

Speak with students beforehand about respectful engagement, including how to ask thoughtful and considerate questions.

Teachers are encouraged to stay engaged and model curiosity and respect throughout the session.

New to Minecraft?

We recommend that students are familiar with the basic Minecraft controls taught in the How to Play tutorials in the Minecraft Lesson Library, particularly:

• How to Play: Movement (Keyboard and Mouse / Touchscreen)
• How to Play: Break and Place (Keyboard and Mouse / Touchscreen)

You can also check out our New to Minecraft section on our Minecraft Program Support site.