Shawnee Tribe Partners with Civilization 7, Introducing Tecumseh \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Shawnee Tribe, led by Chief Ben Barnes, has partnered with Firaxis Games to introduce Tecumseh as a playable leader in the upcoming Civilization 7. This collaboration aims to ensure an authentic portrayal of Shawnee culture while supporting language revitalization efforts for the tribe. The inclusion of Tecumseh, a significant figure in Native American history, represents a shift towards more culturally sensitive storytelling in video games.
Shawnee Tribe Joins Civilization 7: Quick Looks
- Tecumseh in Civilization 7: Shawnee Tribe Chief Ben Barnes partnered with Firaxis Games to add Tecumseh as a playable character in the upcoming Civilization 7, marking a milestone for representation.
- Cultural Collaboration: Firaxis worked closely with the Shawnee Tribe to accurately portray their history, contributing funding for language revitalization programs as part of the partnership.
- Authentic Storytelling: This inclusion is part of a broader effort by Firaxis to correct past shortcomings in Indigenous representation, ensuring respect and accuracy in the portrayal of Native cultures.
Deep Look
The upcoming release of Civilization 7 is not just a continuation of the beloved strategy series but a step forward in respectful cultural representation. This milestone is highlighted by the Shawnee Tribe’s collaboration with Firaxis Games to include their historic leader, Tecumseh, as a playable character. The partnership, initiated when Firaxis approached Shawnee Tribe Chief Ben Barnes, represents a significant departure from how Indigenous cultures have traditionally been depicted in video games. For Barnes, the opportunity was both exciting and full of potential—allowing the Shawnee people to see their culture and history represented on a global stage in a meaningful way.
A Dream Collaboration: From Player to Partner
Ben Barnes, Chief of the Shawnee Tribe, has been a longtime fan of Sid Meier’s Civilization series, spending “hundreds of hours” building empires in the iconic games. So when Firaxis, the studio behind the Civilization franchise, approached him with the proposal to make Tecumseh, the famous Shawnee leader, a playable character in Civilization 7, Barnes was thrilled. “I was like, ‘This can’t be true,'” Barnes said. The excitement was evident, as Barnes, who grew up playing games like Alpha Centauri, was finally in a position to influence one of the most famous strategy games ever.
The Civilization series has captivated millions since its 1991 debut, creating a genre of empire-building games that allow players to shape historical narratives. Players choose from leaders as diverse as Cleopatra and Mahatma Gandhi, building a civilization from its first settlements into a thriving empire. It’s an experience that has drawn in celebrities and gamers alike, from Elon Musk to Mark Zuckerberg. However, as video game technology has evolved, so too has the need for more thoughtful, historically accurate portrayals of the cultures represented in these games.
Learning from Past Missteps
Firaxis’ previous experiences with Indigenous representation have not always gone smoothly. In 2010, the studio scrapped plans to add a Pueblo leader after tribal leaders objected. Similarly, in 2018, the inclusion of a Cree leader drew criticism in Canada for perpetuating misconceptions about Indigenous values and culture. As the studio moved forward with Civilization 7, the team knew they had to approach things differently. To properly represent Tecumseh, they recognized the importance of gaining the input and blessing of the Shawnee people.
Barnes saw this as a unique opportunity—not only to showcase Tecumseh’s legacy but to give Shawnee citizens the chance to see themselves reflected in modern media. “For us, it’s really about a cultural expression of cultural hegemony,” Barnes said. “Why not us? Of course, we should be in a video game title. Of course, we should see ourselves reflected in every media. We took advantage of the opportunity to make our star shine.”
An Authentic Representation of Shawnee Culture
The collaboration between Firaxis and the Shawnee Tribe went far beyond a simple licensing deal. It represented a significant shift in how game developers could work with Native communities to achieve authentic representation. Firaxis producers spent months working with the Shawnee to ensure Tecumseh’s character was a true reflection of Shawnee values and history. Game producer Andrew Frederiksen described the process as involving “careful thought and collaboration to make sure it’s an authentic, sincere recreation of Shawnee culture.”
One part of this effort was asking questions about what Shawnee institutions might look like in the future. For example, Firaxis worked with Shawnee experts to imagine what a Shawnee university or library might be in a futuristic setting. The partnership also involved creating new Shawnee words to describe modern or futuristic concepts. This collaboration not only helped shape the game’s content but also contributed to the Shawnee’s cultural preservation efforts.
Supporting Shawnee Language Revitalization
One of the most impactful parts of the partnership is Firaxis’ support for Shawnee language revitalization. In meetings with Chief Barnes, Sid Meier, the legendary founder of the Civilization series, was moved by Barnes’ account of the challenges facing the Shawnee language. As part of their partnership, Firaxis and its publishing label 2K Games, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, are donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund language revitalization programs and facilities for the Shawnee people. “Firaxis was asking questions about language we never would have thought to ask,” Barnes noted during the opening of a new language education center in northeastern Oklahoma.
This initiative extended into the game itself. Shawnee actor Dean Dillon was cast to voice Tecumseh, with much of his dialogue being delivered in the Shawnee language. When Dillon auditioned, he had no idea he would be playing such a significant role. “I just gave it my best shot,” Dillon said. “And then a few weeks later, I heard back and they said, ‘We’d like to offer you the role of Tecumseh.’ And my head exploded.” Seeing Tecumseh come to life on screen, with Dillon’s voice bringing authenticity to the character, was a surreal experience. “It was surreal, to say the least, to see Tecumseh’s face but to hear my voice come out of that,” Dillon said.
Addressing the Weight of History
In earlier versions of Civilization, the representation of historical leaders often lacked nuance. When the game debuted in 1991, it included figures like Montezuma, Josef Stalin, and Mao Zedong without much consideration of the weight and implications of their historical actions. “We never realized people would take it as seriously as they do,” Sid Meier admitted. “We always kind of felt, ‘Here’s a way that you can change history.’ Maybe we can make Stalin a good guy. But that might have been stretching things a little too far.”
As the series has evolved, the developers have learned to treat the historical figures and the cultures they represent with greater respect. Civilization 7 will reflect these changes. For instance, it will no longer include “barbarians” as a term for hostile characters that aren’t part of a playable civilization. Instead, these groups will be offered the possibility of forming diplomatic relations with players, allowing for a more nuanced interaction that doesn’t perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Global Representation and Changing Perceptions
The Civilization franchise has sold over 70 million copies worldwide, expanding its audience well beyond the U.S. and Europe. As more players around the world have sought to see their own histories represented, the game has responded by including a diverse array of cultures. Recent editions have included civilizations like the Māori of New Zealand and the Mapuche of South America, complete with themed music and spoken languages.
“It is now a badge of honor for a nation to be included in Civilization,” Meier said. The inclusion of different cultures allows players to explore and appreciate diverse histories, though not all representations have been without controversy. The 2018 introduction of a Cree leader sparked backlash, with Cree leaders arguing that the game’s depiction promoted misconceptions about their culture. Andrew Johnson, one of the game’s resident historians, noted that developers initially faced resistance when considering Tecumseh’s inclusion in Civilization 7. “We were told repeatedly, ‘No, this is a really bad idea, and nobody’s going to sign off on this,’” Johnson said.
Instead of abandoning the idea, Johnson suggested reaching out directly to the Shawnee leaders. This proactive approach led to a partnership that provided tangible benefits for the Shawnee, particularly in preserving their language and culture. “Getting your ‘civ’ in Civilization doesn’t really help you very much if you’re struggling to preserve your culture,” Johnson explained. By making Tecumseh a character, Firaxis aimed not only to include the Shawnee in the game but also to support them meaningfully.
A Future for the Shawnee Language and Culture
Chief Ben Barnes hasn’t yet played the new version of Civilization, but he is already envisioning the impact it will have on his community. The inclusion of Shawnee language and culture in a global video game serves as a powerful tool for both education and representation. “With the efforts we’re making here today, I expect Shawnee to be spoken in 2500,” Barnes said, imagining a future where his language is thriving, both in reality and in the virtual worlds that people create.
The partnership between Firaxis and the Shawnee Tribe is a powerful example of how video games can transcend entertainment, becoming a platform for cultural preservation and meaningful representation. As Civilization 7 gears up for its February release, it marks a new chapter for the franchise—one that embraces diverse voices and treats cultural narratives with the respect they deserve.
