PEHDZEH KI/WRIGLEY
Students at Chief Julian Yendo School in Wrigley had the chance to attend a two day Dene and Inuit traditional games clinic earlier this week.

Students in Wrigley take part in Alaskan high kick during a traditional games clinic at Chief Julian Yendo School on Jan. 27.

For the past few years, the clinics have been held in territorial communities by The Aboriginal Sport Circle of the NWT.

Shawna McLeod, Lawrence Nayally and Ernie Bernhardt were hosting the clinic, which on Jan. 27 saw about 10 students of various ages from the school attend.

Derek Squirrel, the traditional games manager for Aboriginal Sports Circle NWT, said as well as teaching the history of the games and providing demonstrations, the communities get to keep equipment for free.

"All we do is ask for the school and student's time," Squirrel said.

After the lessons, the students get to play the games.

That keeps the games going with younger generations, Squirrel said.

"It's important to pass on the history of the games, to keep the games going," said Squirrel about putting on the clinics in communities for students.

"It's our bread and butter as an organization."

The program has been run for about four years. The goal is to visit all 33 communities in the territory, usually reaching one community per region each year.

Past communities in this region have included Jean Marie River, Fort Liard and Fort Providence.

Being a small community with a small number of participants, Wrigley students were given a lot of attention from the instructors.

Nayally, who is from Wrigley, taught the Dene games while Bernhardt taught the Inuit games.

McLeod said some of the games the students learned about during the event included stick pole, finger pole, one foot high kick, Alaskan high-kick and two-foot high-kick.

"The kids seem really interested to learn about Inuit and Dene games. They're interested to hear the stories that Lawrence and Ernie have to go along with the games."

Squirrel said because people in the Deh Cho often have more exposure to Dene games, the demand to learn more about the Inuit games is often higher.

"And then it's the opposite when we go up North," he said.

In an interview as the first day of the event at the school was wrapping up, McLeod said the children seem to be catching on and enjoying the clinic.

"They're happy that we're here," McLeod said.

As well, a community gathering was held Jan. 27 where both students and adults could partake in handgames.

"Overall it was a great experience for all of us," McLeod said.

This year will be the third time the circle has hosted a Traditional Games Championship.

The event will take place Feb. 27 in Yellowknife for ages 10 to 12.

"It's been very successful. The communities have something to work for now," Squirrel said.

It adds something to the calendar for community members to look forward to, he said.

"There's a lot of hype going into the third year," he said.

This year, around 20 communities are expected to send a team.

Each team consists of eight students, usually four female and four male.