It is a game that requires a level of skill, strategy, as well as a bit of stealth.

It is also a game steeped in Indigenous culture, and one gaining new popularity among young people in the NWT.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is part of who we are as Dene people,SA国际影视传媒� said Archie Gahdele, a resident of Lutsel KSA国际影视传媒檈 and avid hand games player.

Traditional hand games have been around for generations, said Gahdele, who recalls his father telling him that visitors would arrive in his community by dog sled to hunt caribou and then afterwards, start a hand games tournament.

SA国际影视传媒淭he way that I was told by my late father, when people gathered there were a lot of people back then SA国际影视传媒� they would have tournaments all night and, in the morning, there was another group of players who would also carry it on,SA国际影视传媒� Gahdele said. SA国际影视传媒淭his would go on for about a week. These hand games were very popular back then.SA国际影视传媒�

And when Gahdele himself was a child, he said he recalls seeing all the Elders gather in a tent to play hand games.

SA国际影视传媒淥nce they would start to play the drum, the whole tent would move. That is how powerful the drum is,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Elders eventually passed on, however, and with the advent of residential schools, children were taken away and traditions slowly faded in the absence of those who were meant to inherit them.

They werenSA国际影视传媒檛 forgotten, however, said Gahdele.

Through efforts of people like his late cousin, Gahdele said interest in playing hand games was renewed in his community.

SA国际影视传媒淲e went out two or three nights playing hand games with the younger generation (who were) 10 and 12 years old. Now, they are grown up and it is really popular in the community. That is where we are at today,SA国际影视传媒� he said of the resurgence of his culture.

Playing hand games is not only a fun game for those playing, but for those watching it, according to Gahdele.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is really colourful to watch. Some of the moves, you donSA国际影视传媒檛 catch them, you know.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat is what makes people want to watch. You make people laugh sometimes, and that is how the games are to be played,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a gathering that brings people together (from) the old to the young, to watch these games. Back in the early days, people back then, 70 or 75 years old SA国际影视传媒� when they were growing up themselves, back then that is all they did, played hand games and lived off the land.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭hat is part of who they are.SA国际影视传媒�

And while it is fun and interesting to watch, Gahdele said the games also have a higher purpose while bringing the community together.

SA国际影视传媒淲e get the young people to play the game, and I think what that does through those teachings is to have respect for the games and it is teaching them to be respectful and sober,SA国际影视传媒� he explained. SA国际影视传媒淚 think that with a lot of social issues that have come around, it is one way to try to help the young people to get close to who they are and remind them that this is what belongs to them.

SA国际影视传媒淗opefully some of these ways also would counter any social issues. That is the thinking behind that today,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Gahdele looks forward to participating in his Dene tradition during the Georgie Marlowe Memorial Traditional Hand Games Tournament in Lutsel KSA国际影视传媒檈 during the weekend of Aug. 18.