The Gameti Hand Game Committee announced this week that the community's 2021 hand game tournament is cancelled. 

The event, which was set to take place in March, would have been the fourth edition of games, which are held every second year. Gameti Chief David Wedawin said since their launch in 2015, they have been steadily gaining popularity. 

The decision to cancel the games is a result of continued Covid-19 protection measures. In a 300-person community SA国际影视传媒渋f one citizen gets sick, weSA国际影视传媒檒l all be sick,SA国际影视传媒� Wedawin said. 

Boris Eyakfwo has been a member of the Gameti Hand Game Committee since their inception in 2015. Cancelling the tournament SA国际影视传媒渨as a difficult decision,SA国际影视传媒� he said, SA国际影视传媒渂ut we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 want to put the Elders at risk.SA国际影视传媒� 

In the past, Gameti has hosted up to 32 teams and up to 700 people for the tournament. Teams from around the NWT as well as from Yukon and Alberta have travelled to Gameti to compete.

Wedawin describes the community SA国际影视传媒渇illing upSA国际影视传媒� for the games. Maintaining proper social distancing measures would not be possible while hosting the tournament he said. 

While the cancellation is a disappointment, Eyakfwo said the community SA国际影视传媒渉as been very understanding.SA国际影视传媒� 

He said the date that the games will be rescheduled to is still up for discussion. He acknowledged that many are eager to see the tournament set for as soon as possible, but he noted SA国际影视传媒渋t would take some timeSA国际影视传媒� until Covid-19 restrictions ease. 

Eyakfwo himself is as keen to set a date as anyone and said the traditional games SA国际影视传媒渁re important for the community.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚 love the experience,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t brings so much energy to me and makes me proud to be Indigenous. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a very amazing feeling.SA国际影视传媒�