Métis Life on Roblox Reclaims Endangered Languages for Next-Gen Players

Featured at the Museum of Vancouver this summer, the innovative project honours traditions such as Métis Nation Day by turning screen time into cultural preservation.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, on Métis Nation Day, a groundbreaking cultural initiative is bridging a 142-year-old tradition with the cutting edge of digital innovation. Recognized as the world’s largest Indigenous language learning video game, Métis Life on Roblox is transforming how Indigenous heritage and endangered languages are preserved, revitalizing history by meeting the next generation exactly where they are: in the metaverse.

Originally established in 1884 by Louis Riel and Métis leadership, July 24th was declared a national holiday to celebrate the unique culture, history, and resilience of the Métis Nation. What began as a vibrant historical summer gathering of music, dance, community, and pride at Batoche has steadily evolved. Today, the exact spirit of community connection is expanding into entirely new digital realms.

With over 25 million daily active users within Canada and the US, more than half of whom are under the age of 16, meeting youth where they already gather has become a strategic necessity. This digital-first approach to cultural survival has earned the project institutional recognition this summer as a cornerstone of the Museum of Vancouver’s (MOV) newest exhibition, Press Start: A Vancouver Game History Pop-Up. Running throughout the season, the exhibition showcases exclusive development insights, concept art, and behind-the-scenes assets from Métis Life, proving that living history can thrive far beyond the pages of a textbook.

At the heart of the Métis Life project is a mission to preserve and revitalize tradition and the Michif language. The Michif language, a unique blend of Cree and French spoken by the Métis people, is facing a critical crisis of vitality. Recent data indicates that there are fewer than 1,900 fluent Michif speakers left across Canada, rendering the language “critically endangered”.

Rather than letting the language fade, Métis National Council collaborated with Métis Life creator Josh Nilson to design the game to actively combat this cultural loss. "By meeting Métis youth where they are already spending their time, we're creating meaningful opportunities to connect with their culture and language in ways that feel engaging, relevant, and fun. Through Métis Life on Roblox, we're helping the next generation strengthen their connection to their Métis identity while learning Michif in a modern digital space," said President Victoria Pruden.

The game now features all three Michif languages: Southern Michif, Northern Michif, and Michif French. Beyond language revitalization, the immersive world exposes players to the rich fabric of Métis culture, allowing them to explore traditional Métis food, clothing, and fiddle music. To anchor this digital experience in real-world history, the game features special quests tied to significant cultural holidays and national milestones. For Métis Nation Day, a newly launched “Métis Flag Quest” guides players through the history of the Infinity Flag. For more information about the game, visit https://www.metislife.ca/.

About Métis National Council

Since 1983, Métis National Council (MNC) has been the national and international voice of the Métis Nation within Canada. Through national research and policy development, the MNC advocates to advance the rights and interests of Métis Governments, including the implementation of the Métis Nation’s inherent right to self-determination and self-government. The MNC is committed to accountability and transparency within its operations, and to its relationships with its Governing Members and other partners.

About Maskwa Games

Maskwa Games is a Metis owned Interactive Digital Media studio that focuses on games for good. Maskwa Games is the maker of www.metislife.ca and has some cool things cooking.