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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Three-dimensional targets of a rabbit, a fox and a beaver were riddled with arrows during a two-day archery clinic in Fort Simpson.

Cydney Nahanni-Kwasney, left, and Maeve Dempsey draw back their bows and aim before releasing their arrows during the second day of a two-day archery clinic in Fort Simpson sponsored by the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Students in Class 5 and 6 at Bompas Elementary School and students in the physical education classes at Thomas Simpson School participated in the clinic, Nov. 3 to 4. The clinic is the first of four the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the NWT will be offering in communities across the territory.

Archery is one of the programs the Sports Circle promotes, said Derek Squirrel, the organization's community co-ordinator.

"The kids really enjoy it," said Squirrel. "We have some great shooters out there."

Gary Scarfe of Fort Simpson and Edward Landry of Fort Providence led the clinic. Students were first given an introduction to the arrows, bow and targets and the safety rules before being allowed to shoot.

Scarfe and Landry showed the students basic archery technique, including how to hold a bow, where to nock the arrow on the bowstring, how to draw the string back and anchor it near their face and how to release it. During the first day the students were shooting all over the place, said Landry.

The two instructors helped correct the widely aimed arrows by inflating balloons and affixing them to the targets. Faced with the possibility of popping a balloon, students started to improve their aim, said Landry. Up next were the three-dimensional targets. Students were also able to aim and hit those, sometimes consistently, Landry said.

"There was a big improvement from yesterday," he said. "It's good to see that."

Shooting at the three-dimensional targets was Nicolas Nelner's favourite part of the clinic.

Nelner, a Bompas Elementary School student, said his aim improved during the two days. Nelner said he plans to continue doing archery.

In the village, Scarfe runs an archery program every Wednesday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the recreation centre. Scarfe said a number of students who participated in the clinic voiced interest in coming to the program.

In addition to increasing local interest in the sport, Squirrel said the clinics are also giving Landry, who coaches archery for the territory's North American Indigenous Games team, a chance to look for possible team members.

The locations for the remaining three archery clinics haven't been set yet, but Scarfe and Landry are scheduled to lead them.

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