A Big Idea: “Non-Mineable Land” Inside of Minecraft

Minecraft is the best-selling game in the world. The game teaches players, primarily children, to mine and build whole worlds out of raw materials. Naturally, the raw materials must be secured under duress. A game needs tension, and Minecraft has it. What it does not have is a means to teach players that raw materials belong to a community dependent on the resources for their livelihoods.

Due to the increase in deforestation and displacement of native peoples in Brazil today, the need for education and advocacy around the issue is great. Now, with the introduction of “Non-Mineable Land,”—a Minecraft mod from Amazone-se, the Centro de Trabalho Indigenista (CTI), and Survival International—this fundamental knowledge about fairness is starting to gain digital ground.

No matter how hard Minecraft users try, they are unable to mine Indigenous lands. Instead, players are invited into a learning experience. “The map introduces elements of Indigenous cultures in Brazil into a virtual world in order to generate real awareness,” underscores Francisco Tupy, a Minecraft Education consultant.

The project is available for all kids within Minecraft Education and includes tools for teachers to help their students learn more about Indigenous communities and their cultures. While the Non-Mineable Land map doesn’t represent a specific Indigenous community, it highlights the common elements they share.

“Non-Mineable Land is an essential project when it comes to making the next generation aware of the importance of protecting Indigenous lands and the wealth of biodiversity they contain, as well as respecting the world’s best guardians of nature, Indigenous peoples,” says Priscilla Oliveira, a researcher at activist at Survival International.

The project was co-created with AlmapBBDO.