Go Buya as a Tool for Culturally-Sustaining Pedagogy in Indigenous and Borderland Education
Indigenous lifelong learning is based on passing down knowledge between generations, maintaining cultural traditions, and education connected to specific places. In the borderland area of Entikong, Indonesia, Indigenous Dayak communities face systemic obstacles to getting an education that respects their culture. They often come across curricula that overlook their heritage. This study presents Go Buya, a game-based learning tool created with the help of local elders, educators, and cultural practitioners to connect traditional knowledge with formal education. Grounded in a culturally sustaining teaching approach, Go Buya weaves Dayak stories, symbols, and civic issues into the gameplay. This promotes student engagement, affirms identity, and encourages critical thoughts about civic duties. Using a Design and Development Research methodology, the project took place in three stages: community consultation, game design, and classroom testing in three borderland schools. The results showed an increase in student curiosity, intergenerational conversations, and collaborative learning, which are essential parts of Indigenous lifelong learning. Students examined their civic duties through culturally relevant scenarios, building relational accountability and ethical thinking. This study highlights the promise of cultural tools to revive Indigenous education in underserved areas. Go Buya serves as a model for how Indigenous knowledge can shape new teaching methods, support cultural survival, and encourage lifelong learning in Indigenous and international communities.