Learning the way of the drum
Fort Simpson women want Deh Cho youth to learn from handgames
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, May 12, 2016
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Three Fort Simpson women are working to make handgames a reality for young men in the village and across the Deh Cho.
Young men create a blur of motion during a handgames last year on June 21 held during Liidlii Kue First Nation's annual spring gathering. - NNSL file photo
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Stella Nadia, Keyna Norwegian and Mary Rose Denethlon have big plans for this summer. Currently canvassing the village for children between the ages of six and 12 who are interested, the trio plan to have handgames up and running by the end of the month.
Nadia gave a presentation to children at Bompas Elementary School on May 6. After that, she said, she had 20 young people sign up to take part.
"We know that it's a gentleman's game ... We don't intend on playing at all. We'll just ensure they have all the material and stuff they need to play," said Nadia.
"All we're asking is that they come, be respectful to each other and play."
Although they are targeting younger boys who may not have experienced the game before, due to the fact older youth have opportunities to learn the game through other avenues, games will be open to everyone.
"Of course it's going to be available to all young boys. We're not going to keep it to just First Nations," said Norwegian.
That means older boys can come play as well, and adults can join in a teaching capacity.
Norwegian, who is a former chief of Liidlii Kue First Nation and currently works as the community's bylaw officer, said the group hopes by starting up handgames for youth, the community may see a decrease in petty crime such as break-ins and vandalism.
"A young man, especially at the age we're targeting, is taught the real meaning behind the drum - that is, respect, no cheating, along with growing up. We want to teach those young people that now," said Norwegian.
"At least we can open the door for them ... and if they can get into the drum, they will start to show respect in their livelihoods and in the community."
Nadia, who is the former deputy mayor of the village, said she hopes that will extend to bullying as well. She wants to involve both victims of bullying and youth who feel the need to bully in handgames.
"I always believe that if you give a child a drum, or anything that signifies a drum, to us that's really sacred because it's like you're praying. You're praying when you play," she said.
"We're going to try to offer them something to do to bide their time, which maybe they'll be good at later in life."
The only restrictions on who can attend the sessions will be sobriety, Nadia added - "We're going to keep it young, keep it fun and keep it straight."
Teachers welcomed
Before kicking off regular handgames sessions, the trio plan to bring in a teacher to give participating youth lessons in the significance of the game.
That teaching session could take place over a couple of days, and Norwegian said it will be open to youth from other communities.
"I think we might have some interest from surrounding communities, especially Wrigley, Trout Lake and Jean Marie River. Their kids are more than welcome to join that first initiation of teaching for handgames," she said.
She hopes to see between 40 and 50 youth attend the teaching session. From there, the trio wants to see up to 20 youth play regularly - enough for two teams.
Equipment needed
One of the constraints for players will be access to drums.
Norwegian and Nadia said they hope to fundraise or find ways of purchasing drums for the youth, or have a workshop where youth can make their own drums.
"There's all kinds of ideas that are still in the works," Norwegian said.
After drums are supplied, the group will be looking to raise funds to dress the youth in traditional clothing and eventually send them to youth hand game tournaments elsewhere in the Northwest Territories.
As for the event, Nadia said the group plans to make the most of the summer months by holding practises outside at the papal site or elsewhere in the community, where the sounds of drumming can reach across the village.
"I have big dreams for this," Nadia said, adding that if youth want to play into the winter, there is also the option of utilizing the community hall.
"I'm going to hang on as long as I can with this and give it all I've got."
