PEHDZEH KI/WRIGLEY - In Wrigley, young handgames players captured $10,000 in prize money and proved they can more than hold their own against adults.

When the Pehdzeh Ki Annual Gathering was being organized, the chief and council made a decision to include youth in the handgames tournament.

Over the years the tournament has usually been reserved for adults and youths are normally just spectators, said Lawrence Nayally, who ran the event.

This year youth teams were encouraged to enter. When the roster was finished the tournament included nine teams, four of which were comprised of young players.

"It's a good way to show the youth how communities from different regions can get along and have a good time," said Nayally.

"It brings them together."

Not only did the young teams pull together, in some memorable cases they showed up the adult players.

On Aug. 23, the second and final day of the tournament, two teams faced off for the grand prize of $10,000.

Six adult and elder handgames players from Tulita under the direction of Richard MacCauley lined up on one side of the mat. On the other side, to the delight of the home crowd, were six young Wrigley players ranging in age from of 10 to 14 with Trent Cli, 13, as their captain.

To get into the finals the young team had already shown remarkable skill going almost undefeated until that point. They eliminated an adult team from Fort Providence and one from Wrigley before losing to MacCauley's team.

The youths then won against another Wrigley team captained by Cli's father Morris Moses.

After another win against the second Tulita team, the Wrigley youths were in the finals and faced possibly the most experienced team in the tournament. Looking back, Cli admits that he didn't think his team was going to win the finals.

"They were good," Cli said of MacCauley's team.

As a large crowd watched and the drums thundered, the youths won their first game in the finals. Settling down they started the second game.

"They were really close games," said Cli.

Both games lasted around 30 minutes. As the final sticks traded hands, the youth team of Cli, Napem Moses, Loyal Moses, Joey Moses, Ryett Cli-Moses and Brandon Moses won the game to secure their place as tournament champions and the $10,000 purse.

"It felt great," said Cli.

Talking before their victory, other members of the team said it was primarily their fathers who gave them the skills to win. Brothers Loyal and Napem Moses said their father taught them how to play.

Loyal said his father taught him the calling signal by crossing his hands and making him guess which hand his token was in.

"It's fun," said Loyal describing handgames.

Loyal, 12, said he usually competes against adults, which can be a bit intimidating.

"The adults know all the moves and stuff," said Loyal.

This time, however, it was the youths that showed the adults a thing or two.