INUVIK
Students from across the Beaufort Delta descended on Inuvik last week to test their mettle against the best from the region in Northern and Dene Games.

Jesse Elias dominates at the airplane event Feb. 15 at East Three Secondary School. - Sarah Ladik/NNSL photo

"I'm enjoying it," said competitor Davey Inglangasuk on Feb. 14. "I always enjoyed the games, since I was about 10, just seeing how they were done."

Inglangasuk said his best events were the one-foot high kick and the Alaskan high kick and that he was most looking forward to the one-foot high kick.

As exciting as the event was for athletes, co-organizer Sharla Greenland said there is a lot more to it than just competition with elders and officials there to pass along not only skills and rules, but knowledge and tradition as well.

"The event itself is definitely a competition, but there are so many different opportunities for learning going on," she said, noting that 150 children participated in the drum dance at the opening ceremonies the night before. "As a teacher, part of the joy for me is seeing the young kids carrying on the traditions."

Competitors said they were introduced to the games by family members, but grew to enjoy them for their own merits.

"I got into it because of my brother, Chris Church," said Caitlin Church. "I seen him kicking, and I started kicking and I started liking it."

For Kennidi Dillon, she remembers starting out in traditional games as a child, but said her favourites were snow snake and stick pull.

The games, however, weren't only for the athletes.

The opening ceremonies on the night of Feb. 13 kicked off the week with the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers, as well as the Delta Jiggers.

Emma Dick said the opening prayer in Inuvialuktun.

"It's nice," she told the Drum. "I said the prayer in our language. I'm glad the kids love it, and are always looking forward to the Dene and Inuit Games."

Beyond the regular competitive events, co-organizer Colin Pybus said a lot of emphasis was placed on incorporating social games like the blanket toss, as well as other things for the visiting students. They got time in the swimming pool and students at East Three Secondary School organized a dance for the 233 participants.

Despite the total number of competitors dipping slightly lower than in other years, Pybus said the number of Inuvik students participating seemed to be growing, something he said bodes well for the sports in the community.

Check out next week's Drum for a complete list of results from the Northern and Dene Games Summit.