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These hands were made for competing
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The Little Bears, above, won against White Thunder during the first day of the games. From left are Andrew Willier, Chloe Johansson, Todd Johansson and A.J. Giroux. They also took first place in their category.
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The team Muchaminchoosuk, above, won against Driftpile Nosap during the first day of the games. From left are Caroline Badger, Florence Willier, Brenda Laboucan and Murtle Okimaw. Missing is Paulette Campiou.
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Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
The hand motions, chanting and drumbeating filled the tent near the ball diamonds in Driftpile First Nation on Aug. 8.
Thirteen teams competed in the second annual hand games competition, including some from Grouard and Swan River and three children’s teams.
Hosting this year’s event was NADAP, the Indian Residential School NADAP and Driftpile health staff.
“It’s challenging each other and having fun,” says organizer George Isadore. “It’s a form of therapy and getting people together.”
The competition was divided into three adult categories and one children’s category. The results are:
‘A’ CATERGORY
1. Flyin’ Eagle – Beatrice Collins, Gabe Isadore, Sheila Isadore and Jay Jay Isadore.
2. Upschi Sqwewk – Trina Bellerose, Tess Campiou, Robin Giroux and Kat Okimaw.
‘B’ CATEGORY
1. Sweet Mamas – Shawna Bellerose, Tina Bellerose, Lacey Giroux and Shawn Pruden.
2. Kiwitin Cree – Wiggam Bellerose, B. Courtorielle, Ransom Dextator, Tommy Giroux and Laurent Isadore.
‘C’ CATEGORY
1. Muchaminchoosuk – Caroline Badger, Paulette Campiou, Brenda Laboucan, Murtle Okimaw and Florence Willier.
2. Poachers – J.D. Collins, Dwayne Laboucan, Clayton Isadore and Sharleen Isadore.
CHILDREN’S CATEGORY
1. Little Bears – A.J. Giroux, Chloe Johansson, Todd Johansson and Travis Giroux.
2. Wapski–Pihesewuk – Tierra Badger, Mekwan Isadore- Bellerose, J.R. Sasakamoose and Hailey Twin.
3. Four Angels – Eagle Bellerose, Nikita Bellerose, Shonda Desjarlais and Naomi Giroux.
It’s a challenging game and there’s a lot to learn, says Brenda Laboucan, who’s in her first year.
But it’s also enjoyable and a good way to meet people, she adds.
For Florence Willier, the game is physically and mentally exhausting, but the opposing team can be exploited when it happens. However, it’s the fun which is most important.
“It’s clean fun,” says Willier. “We’re showing our children how to have fun and we take it as it comes.”
Each team has a bullet and a spring they hide and juggle around in their blankets.
They also have hand drummers and the more there are, the harder it is for the opposing team to concentrate. They also have a set of three blue sticks which are used to compete for a set of red sticks, usually eight or 12.
Every time the opposing team correctly guesses which hand the objects are in, or if they’re there at all, they get to put in one of the blue sticks. When they have made four correct guesses in a row they get to put in one of the red sticks.
However, the red sticks move back and forth between both teams, which can make the game long depending on the skill and concentration of each team. The first team to possess all the red sticks wins the game.
A game can last any where from half an hour to two hours.
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