Sa‘mall Uumaan (pronounced samat oomon, healing plants), invites players to experience an immersive, educational adventure through San Diego and Baja’s four distinct bioregions — Ocean, Valley, Mountain, and Desert — learning land relationship through the Kumeyaay lens.

Players follow original Kumeyaay trails, visit sacred sites, and trade with neighboring tribes. They gather native plants, animal relatives, and tools as they learn essential Kumeyaay skills like boat building, shelter construction, cooking, and basketry. Then, they use their newfound knowledge of plants and animals to cure ailments and overcome challenges. This multiplayer, multigenerational game fosters cooperation and cultural discovery, teaching cultural respect while connecting participants to the land’s natural cycles and indigenous wisdom. QR codes on each card and throughout the game also connect players to elders and promote language preservation as they listen and practice the original Kumeyaay words for plants, animals, place names, and game phrases.

I was brought on by game designer Lacey Cannon of Indigenous Regeneration to provide artwork and graphic design for the game cards, box, and other collateral, as well as some project management support (organizing information, compiling information/art gaps, interface with vendors, etc.). The game is slated to print and be in retail locations by summer 2025.