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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Two opponents face off while on their hands and knees on the gym floor.

Moving in close Trent Arden tucks his head under Marshal Nahanni-Kwasney's left shoulder while Nahanni-Kwasney does the same under Arden's opposite shoulder. On the word go the contest begins.

Kenny Harrison demonstrates a two-foot high kick during a Dene games and Arctic sports exhibition held in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The two young boys strain against each other, their hands gripping the floor as they each try to push the other out of the circle that's marked on the floor of the Fort Simpson recreation centre's gym.

The contest, known as the muskox fight, was just one of the events that was included in a Dene games and Arctic sport exhibition held at the recreation centre on May 9. Other events included stick pull, arm pull, back push and one-foot high kick.

The exhibition was designed to showcase games that people in the village don't have the opportunity to do very often, said Nathan McPherson, the village's recreation director.

"People need to see it. It's part of the Northern culture," he said.

In addition to being culturally important, the games are also a lot of fun, McPherson added.

The approximately 15 people who participated in the games seemed to have a good time and so did the additional 10 people who came to watch and cheer the participants on.

"I had a lot of fun," said Kenny Harrison as he caught his breath.

Harrison showed his prowess at the one-foot high kick and also demonstrated both the two-foot and the Alaskan high kick. The Alaskan high kick is the most difficult event because you have to keep your balance while raising yourself up as high as possible, Harrison said.

The event requires participants to hold one foot with their opposite hand while balancing on the remaining hand and kicking at the dangling object, in this case a footbag.

Harrison, who learned the events in high school, said he was glad to have the chance to practise them again.

First time contenders also came away with smiles. Shanelle Arden and Marie Clement-Hardisty both agreed that the one-foot high kick was a lot of fun.

The object of one-foot high kick is to jump using both feet, kick the target with one foot and land and balance on that same foot.

McPherson hopes to see the number of participants and their skill levels rise during future exhibitions. Many of these events are part of the Arctic Winter Games so once they're familiar with them people could develop to the point where they can compete, McPherson said.

The exhibition was also held with another goal in mind. The event was the first in a series of three that the recreation department is holding to support Get Active NWT. The territory-wide campaign encourages communities to hold events that will help youth and their families become more active.

The two upcoming events in Fort Simpson include a family scavenger hunt and barbecue on May 17 at 1 p.m. and a five-on-five ball hockey tournament from May 22-24.