Restoring Native Culture Through Virtual Reality
This class explores the powerful impact that culturally rooted games and digital projects can have on communities—socially, creatively, and economically. Participants will learn how modern 3D technologies are used in game development, with a focus on tools and techniques that support cultural storytelling and workforce development. Through short demos, attendees will gain hands-on insight into how objects function in 3D space and within game engines. The class also includes a practical tutorial on using open-source AI tools to generate custom 3D objects from everyday photos taken with a cell phone.
Our Instructor
Ariann Rousu
3D Tech / Native Heritage Artist, University of North Dakota
Read bioAriann Rousu is a 3D Tech and Native Heritage Artist with over three years of experience in game design, specializing in character creation, digital environments, and animation using leading industry tools such as Maya, Marvelous Designer, and Unreal Engine. She brings a unique blend of cultural insight and technical skill to her work, crafting immersive digital experiences that honor Indigenous traditions while pushing creative boundaries.
An enrolled member of the White Earth Ojibwe Nation, Ariann grew up on the White Earth Reservation in Callaway, Minnesota. Her upbringing continues to shape her artistic vision, infusing her work with a deep respect for storytelling, movement, and cultural representation.
Ariann’s creative journey began in high school in Detroit Lakes, MN, where she first explored digital media. She pursued further education at Minnesota State campuses in Detroit Lakes, Moorhead, and Fergus Falls, earning certifications in Photography and Digital Imaging, along with Associate degrees in Liberal Arts and Fine Arts. She later graduated from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2022.
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