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Page 8
The long-awaited and much-heralded Maskwacis Winter Celebration at Hobbema on the March 15 to 17 weekend proved a fun-filled time.
Using local schools, recreation centres and arenas, this first-time event had much to offer the estimated 6,000 or more visitors who travelled to the festivities from all over the province as well as from Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Most arrived to participate in or to simply enjoy sport tournaments and cultural activities offered up at no cost.
Aboriginal visitors from such distant points as Australia, Hawaii, and New Zealand took part in the opening ceremonies.
Central to the theme of the opening was the appearance of five-year-old Jessica Hodgson from the Samson First Nation. Last fall, at an international function in Africa, she won the title of Little Miss Universe.
No fewer than four sporting events were contested: basketball, curling, hockey and volleyball.
The curling bonspiel was won by Simone Handfield's team from Beaumont. The winners provided a thrilling 6 to 5 photo-finish match over the visiting Saskatchewan team of Marshall Bear.
Only six of eight registered hockey teams showed up, with Siksika First Nation demonstrating their might as they powered their way into the finals with a sound thrashing (9 to 2) of the local Louis Bull team.
Heading into the finals, Siksika knocked off the Edmonton Warriors and captured first place.
The volleyball matches, always a major draw, were hotly contested. This particular tourney attracted no fewer than a dozen women's teams. In the end, a hard-fought battle saw the Hobbema Gunners dig deep enough to win the competition over the second-place Saddle Lake Stingers, while the Winterhawks were third.
As for the men, only four teams entered. Saddle Lake showed the way over the Hobbema team. Morley was third.
The handgames had 16 teams. Each team had to have a minimum of five players with A and B side titles up for grabs. Once the bones, sticks and players had run their course, it was a delighted Billy Jr. Wapas from Thunderchild, Sask., who proved victorious as the Wapas team finessed their way to win the A Division over Saddle Lake's Bob McGilvery.
The B Division saw Sam Minoose from Goodfish Lake in the driver's seat while Siksika's Tracy Eaglespeaker placed second.
The powwow at the Panee Memorial Agriplex was co-emceed by Ray Whitford and Francis Greene.
It drew in more than 130 dancers and nine drum groups with the Northern Cree singers as the host drum.
Once the weekend dust had settled, the top four drums, in order, were Big Bear from Poundmaker, Sask., Mountain Soul from Smallboy's Camp, Dakota Cree from Regina, and Young Spirit from Kehewin.
For dance competition winners see the attached side bar.
Marketing Director Milton Okeymow, was beaming at the success of the overall event.
"In my view, we shot for the stars and landed on the moon," he exclaimed.
Their basic objective, he added, "was to try to build a sense of community pride."
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