Tipatshimuna 
Description:
Wooden rectangular board with handle consisting of two ochenagan board-shaped sections joined at each end by rawhide string slipped through two tiny holes bored in the wood. Board surface marked into 64 squares, alternate squares of two centre rows painted blue. Alternate squares of other six rows painted red. Each square marked with pencil. Twenty- four counters, 12 square and 12 round, ornamented with intersecting red and blue lines.
References:
Lucien Turner. 1979[1894]. Indians and Eskimos in the Quebec-Labrador Peninsula. Ethnology of the Ungava District. Quebec: Presses COMEDITEX; Georg Henriksen. 1977. Hunters in the Barrens. St. John’s: ISER.
Innu Narrative:
Ashinakan is the wooden board and ashinakeashkuts are the round ones – Sheshin (Rich) Rich.
Yes, I always saw one made. This is called ashinakan – Munik (Gregoire) Rich.
Other Info:
“The principle source of amusement with the men is the game of draughts or checkers. While the men are in the tent or on the hillsides awaiting the approach of bands of deer their idle moments are employed over this game. Neither hunger nor the sight of game is sufficient to distract them, so intently are they absorbed. The game is played as in civilization, with only slight differences. I am not aware that wages are laid upon its issue. Some of the men are so expert that they would rank as skillful players in any part of the world. Small boards that may be carried in the hunting bag are used on trips to while away the tedium of the long winter evenings with only the light of the flickering fire of the dry limbs of spruce. Far into the night the players engage, and are only disturbed when one of their tired companions starts from his sleep to relate a wondrous dream and have it expounded by the listeners, who sit aghast at the revelations” – Lucien Turner (1979[1894]:159).
“There is always a social activity going on in a Naskapi camp such as a communal meal, ritual, or game of checkers” – Georg Henriksen (1973:27).
“Today, the Naskapi men often play checkers after mokoshan. It is a popular game which they play with skill and enthusiasm. All the hunters usually follow one game at a time, hanging over each other’s shoulders and shouting advice to the two players, every now and then moving the bricks for them” – Georg Henriksen (1973:39).
During a consultation with Innu elders in Sheshatshiu, 23 April 2004, Manian (Ashini) Michel said her father, Joachim Ashini, used to play checkers down by the beach along with other old guys. There used to be a huge gathering of them. It was her father’s favourite game (translated by Greg Penashue).