Best Indigenous Characters In Gaming

Highlights

Native American representation in media is improving, with more characters appearing in video games, but still lacks gender diversity.
Notable Indigenous characters like Charles Smith, Julia Chang, Nuna, and Poundmaker are making a positive impact in gaming.
Games like
Thunderbird Strike
address real-life issues and promote Indigenous culture, challenging stereotypes.

As someone who has grown up playing video games and being deeply interested in Indigenous representation, I find it truly heartening to see such a diverse range of Indigenous characters making their mark in various gaming genres. Each one carries with them unique stories and experiences that add depth and richness to the gaming world.

Native Americans have historically been misrepresented in media, which can be attributed to deep-seated colonial biases. In many classic Western films, for instance, Indigenous peoples were dehumanized and portrayed as violent savages whose sole purpose was to attack the (primarily white) protagonists. Even efforts at improvement during the late 20th Century led to a new stereotype by depicting Indigenous characters as mystics. The game “Cowboys and Indians” was a common pastime for generations, and even millennials grew up in an era where it was considered acceptable to label the Indigenous population as “Indians.”

I’m thrilled to see that Indigenous representation in popular media, including video games, has been gradually improving. However, we still have a long way to go. A considerable number of Indigenous game characters can be found in fighting games’ rosters, and unfortunately, the representation of women is still lacking. Yet, there have been some truly remarkable Indigenous characters who have left an indelible mark on the gaming community.

10 Charles Smith

A Beloved Supporting Character And Voice Of Reason

In the second installment of Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2, some fresh characters joined the crew from the initial game, and among them, Charles Smith left a lasting impression. Born into hardship with a Native American mother and an African American father during the height of westward expansion driven by “Manifest Destiny,” Charles defied the odds and remained resilient.

Charles stood out among the Van Der Linde Gang not only for his exceptional hunting and survival skills, but also for his kind nature and level-headedness. He was among the rare outlaws who allied with the protagonist, Arthur Morgan, when the gang began to disintegrate.

9 Connor

A Warrior Caught Between The Will Of His Colonizers And The Safety Of His People

In an unconventional move for Assassin’s Creed 3, Ubisoft chose to explore the American Revolution from a fresh perspective. Rather than portraying the colonists in a heroic light, the game shed light on the impact of this morally ambiguous conflict on Native Americans, who were neither instigators nor primary beneficiaries of the war.

I had the pleasure of getting acquainted with a remarkable figure in history through the captivating world of Assassin’s Creed. This game introduced me to Ratonhnhaké:ton, or Connor as he is also known, an unyielding assassin who dedicated himself to shielding his people from the crushing weight of colonial oppression. His life story resonated deeply with me, as I too have grappled with the complexities of a multicultural heritage and the struggles that come with it.

8 Julia Chang

A Native American Woman with an Unusually Varied Career

A noticeable pattern emerges in fighting games with Indigenous characters; however, it’s less common for these roles to be portrayed by women. This scarcity sets Julia Chang apart significantly. Discovered as an infant in the remains of an unidentified tribe’s village, Julia was later adopted by Michelle Chang – who is half-Indigenous herself. Through an unusual turn of events, Julia’s life developed into an extraordinary career.

In various fields, she excels: archaeology, conservation, and streaming on the internet. Remarkably, she manages to engage in competitive tournaments as well. Her skills there are impressively top-notch.

In “Never Alone,” she encounters numerous challenges during her journey, including solving puzzles and engaging in battles. Despite being young, she demonstrates remarkable strength and tenacity. The advancement in the game is not based on earning skill points but rather by listening to Inuit tales as part of preserving the cultural heritage of the past through the next generation.

7 Poundmaker

Real-Life Cree Hero

During the late 1800s, Pîhtokahanapiwiyi, also called “Poundmaker,” played a significant role as a Cree leader. He was renowned for his dedication to defending Indigenous rights when the Canadian government was inflicting starvation and taking their land.

Despite being ousted from his role relatively quickly and later accused of “treason,” resulting in his arrest (which would later be overturned in 2019), this individual gained significant reverence within the Indigenous community. Consequently, when designing the Cree civilization for Civilization 6, developers sought a fitting historical figure to represent them, and who better than an authentic hero from their own people?

6 Mina “Thunderbird” Sky

Nakota Pilot And Medic

Although the representation of Indigenous characters in gaming is improving, there’s still a lack of high-quality Indigenous representations, especially for women. Therefore, the arrival of Mina “Thunderbird” Sky in Rainbow Six Siege was a delightful surprise.

A pilot in the Canadian Air Force hails from the Nakota community of Saskatchewan, Canada. She dons with pride the distinctive facial tattoos of her heritage. Her codename, “Thunderbird,” is rooted in an ancient Nakota tale about a mighty bird that serves as a guardian. True to form, this skilled aviator relishes flying and is committed to safeguarding both her Nakota and Rainbow Six teams.

5 Nightwolf

Indigenous Martial Artist

Nightwolf is easily one of the most iconic Indigenous characters in video games. He is a martial artist and spirit warrior who specializes in crushing the forces of evil, having been crucial in preventing several apocalypses. Nightwolf has been a regular member of the cast since Mortal Kombat 3 in 1995.

Despite being criticized for perpetuating outdated Native American stereotypes, specifically the “Spiritual Warrior” archetype, this character continues to be beloved by fans. More recent portrayals of the character have made efforts to be more respectful and authentic to Indigenous cultural beliefs.

4 Nuna

Inuit Child With Amazing Endurance

The video game “Never Alone” by Upper One Games draws inspiration from an ancient Inuit tale about a brave hero on a mission to put an end to endless winter. In this modern interpretation, the protagonist is not a man as in the original story, but rather a determined young girl named Nuna. Accompanied only by a fox, she braves the harsh Arctic elements.

3 Tommy Towadi

Repatriate Cherokee Mechanic

In the 2006 first-person shooter adventure game, Prey, there was an intriguing blend of Indigenous spiritual traditions and futuristic elements. Given this unusual combination, it’s not unexpected that the developers opted for an Indigenous main character.

Tommy Towaldi possesses an extraordinary talent: he can spiritually access realms that are inaccessible to most, a gift which he employs to dodge death and trick his extraterrestrial jailers. In the early days when Native American characters were scarcely represented in media, Tommy’s presence struck a chord with many gamers.

2 Thunderbird

The Legendary Creature Has its Own Game

Developer: Elizabeth LaPensée
Released: 2017
Platform: PC, Mobile

In many Indigenous legends, The Thunderbird is depicted as a powerful and majestic creature, resembling an eagle, that plays a guardian role in preserving the natural balance of the world. This theme is reflected in Elizabeth LaPensée’s game, Thunderbird Strike, where players assume the role of this mythical bird as it fights back against the oil industry and works to revitalize devastated lands.

This game updates a well-known myth for contemporary times, tackling the contentious topic of corporations exploiting Indigenous lands, sparking intense reactions from various oil industries who perceived it as encouraging ecological sabotage.

1 Wolf Hawkfield

Indigenous Brawler And Ultimate Challenger

It’s becoming common to see Indigenous characters featured in fighting games, such as Nightwolf in Mortal Kombat and Thunder Hawk in Street Fighter. However, among these, Virtua Fighter’s Wolf Hawkfield stands out as particularly intriguing. Hailing from an unspecified Canadian wilderness tribe initially, Wolf Hawkfield transitioned from being a skilled hunter and woodsman to gaining international fame as a wrestling sensation.

An ardent enthusiasm drives him: competing against formidable rivals. This desire is so profound that he gave up wrestling after encountering what felt like every worthy adversary. Yet, his spirit reawakened upon discovering a promising new contender.

2024-07-18 04:34