First Treaty 8 Traditional Games a success

The first ever Treaty 8 Traditional Games (Kayas Nehiyaw Metawewina) was hosted by Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik School from Wabasca-Desmarais.

Joining host OPK in the June 12 events were teams from Sucker Creek, Driftpile, Atikameg, Swan River, Sister Gloria, John Baptiste Sewepegaham, and John D’Or Prairie. The “Spirit Award” went to Driftpile School.

 “We hosted a Traditional Games workshop at OPK school to learn the games and how to make the playing equipment used to play these games,” said organizer Christine Gullion.

Gullion and her 12-member committee have been planning the games since early March. Grades 4-7 OPK students, who attend Cree classes at Kapaskwatinak Cultural Educational Centre, helped make the equipment for these games. Many of the materials and equipment are colourful with beads and feathers attached to the sticks.

The day started with an opening honour song performed by Driftpile First Nation drummers and with athletes and games committee parading around the grounds. OPK principal Gladys Cardinal delivered opening remarks, commending her staff for a job well done in the organizing of the games. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was Councillor Clara Moberly who did play by play of the games in both Cree and English.

Traditional Games, which require both physical and mental endurance, were played by the Aboriginal ancestors to stay fit and sharp.

 This year’s Traditional Games included Ring the Stick, in which a hoop of any size is tied to a length of rawhide and attached to a stick; Kick Ball, in which a hacky sack type of ball with a braided tail is kicked along a course; in Run and Scream, a player starts running, sucking in a big breath of air, and screams while running, and when he takes another breath is where the marker is placed in the ground; and, in Hoop and Arrow, the person who hits closest to the centre of the hoop with an arrow wins. Double Ball is a team game, consisting of eight players per side and is similar to lacrosse. There are no boundaries. Sticks of willow and double balls made of sand and sewn together are used. Balls are pitched over and through the goals to earn points.

Next year Little Red River Cree Nation will be hosting the Treaty 8 Traditional Games.