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DEH GAH GOT'IE/FORT PROVIDENCE - With the synchronized beating of the drums growing ever louder, the crowd watching the Mackenzie Days' handgames tournament waited in anticipation as the final sticks traded hands.

After defeating the Wrigley team in two consecutive games in the finals, the Rae Warriors team from Behchoko won the tournament and the $6,000 grand prize.

While Wrigley teammate Lawrence Nayally, left, drums in support, Darwin Norwegian reveals the hand in which he hid his token during the Mackenzie Days' handgames tournament. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Winning takes a team effort, said Samuel Gargan, who played on Louie Bonnetrouge's team from Fort Providence.

"Like most aboriginal games it's about collectiveness, not individual achievement," said Gargan.

The Rae Warriors beat Wrigley, who had gone undefeated up to that point, by watching their technique and style in earlier games, said Warrior team member Leon Rabesca.

Wrigley used the same three people as callers so the Warriors studied their tactics, he said.

Listening to the strong drum beat and using their past experience also helped the team, said Rabesca. Rae Warriors team members included Charlie Eyakfwo, Peter Quitte, Joe Wanazah, Jonas Football and Angus Black.

"Back home we play a lot together but sometimes we play against each other," he said.

A total of eight teams participated in the three-day handgames tournament at Mackenzie Days in Fort Providence on Aug. 1-3.

The teams were competing for a combined purse of $15,000.

Participation wasn't as high as expected because events in other communities kept some players from attending, said Johnny Weyallon, tournament co-ordinator.

For the teams that did attend, the tournament was an opportunity to meet new people and watch different handgames styles.

"It's exciting for the people who are playing," he said.

Weyallon, an active handgames player from Behchoko, said many communities are reviving handgames and getting more involved in tournaments.

Love of the game is what drew Cawley Hardisty to compete on team Wrigley in the tournament.

Growing up in Wrigley, Hardisty learned how to play handgames from his uncles.

"The drumming, the music, the energy," are some of the factors that draw Hardisty to handgames.

During a game players use the energy of the drums and their own creativity to tease and taunt the opposing team.

The performance can involve moving to the beat of the drum and making signature moves to reveal their token isn't on the side that was picked.

"You're really trying to outsmart the other team," said Hardisty." Once you figure out their caller, he won't catch you for a while."

Hardisty's teammates during the tournament included Jamie Moses, Darwin Norwegian,

Lawrence Nayally, Kenneth Moses and Leo Moses. The team took home $4,000 for their second-place finish.

Patrick Adzin's team from Behchoko took third place and team Sharp from Meander River, Alta., finished in fourth.