Women’s and Gender Studies professor Ashley Glassburn and alumnus Loyell Bigjohn will lead an interactive game at Art Windsor-Essex (AWE) on Thursday, offering participants a chance to learn regional Indigenous languages in a hands-on way.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, Dr. Glassburn and Bigjohn will introduce participants to Myaamia and Anishinaabemowin through the game Paapankamwa Iilweeta (Fox Says) as part of AWE’s Love Languages exhibit.

Named after Paapankamwa, the trickster figure in Miami stories, Fox Says is inspired by the classic game Simon Says. Dr. Glassburn developed the game to help Miami community members learn Myaamia verbs, which she covers in her upcoming Myaamia grammar book under a section titled "Bossing Around Those You Love and Care About."

“We may not realize it, but day in and day out we get pretty bossy with the people we live with. Learning to use commands is fairly simple in most Algonquian languages, and it’s a great way to start using Indigenous languages at home or in the community,” Glassburn said.

“Most gameplay relies on commands, so learning a game like Fox Says is a fun way to start incorporating Indigenous languages into other games as well—Go! Draw! Discard! Run! Pass it to me!”

The exhibition Love Languages explores the relationship between artistic production and love. The featured artworks are united by their use of language, text, and graphic icons, each conveying profound meanings. Twelve artists have infused their work with qualities that reflect their intentions. The five love languages serve as a framework for understanding how we express and receive love.

“The game ties in with the exhibition because it’s an engaging way to connect with languages through play, making it accessible to all skill levels,” said AWE education and public programs coordinator Sophie Hinch. “By offering this interactive, fun experience, we hope that attendees will not only learn a few new words and phrases but also gain a deeper appreciation for these languages. Through the game's repetition, attendees can also connect with language in a physical way by using their bodies to gesture the actions.”

Participants are encouraged to “tap into their inner foxes” by making playful hats and getting into character, she added.

The activity will take place during AWE at Night on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the second-floor education studio.