DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE - Robyn McLeod's journey to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics began 12 years ago.

When she was 10-years-old she discovered Dene Games when she tried the stick pull while at the Mackenzie Regional Summer Games one year in Fort Resolution. Robyn and sister Shawna's interest in Dene Games took off from there.

Shawna McLeod, left, of Fort Providence and Shaylene Allen from Fort McPherson practise the finger pull during a training camp held in Yellowknife for the traditional games athletes who will be demonstrating for the territory at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. - photo courtesy of Rebecca Alty

The McLeod sisters from Fort Providence have competed in Dene games in both the Arctic Winter Games and the Canada Winter Games. Next year they will be showcasing their sport at the ultimate venue- the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. It's a dream come true for me," said Robyn, 22.

Robyn and Shawna are part of the 16-person traditional games team that will demonstrate both Dene and Inuit Games in Vancouver. Jason Horesay who's also from Fort Providence is one of the team's four coaches.

Shawna, 18, said she tried out for the team because she wanted the chance to represent her community and the territory at the Olympics.

"I'm really excited to go," she said.

The competition, along with the history and background of each event, are some of the aspects of Dene games that Shawna enjoys. Her favourite event is the stick pull.

Shawna said she is looking forward to meeting people and experiencing different cultures at the Olympics while demonstrating traditional games to the world.

For Robyn, seeing the performances, the venues and the cultural aspects of the Olympics are some of the expected highlights.

"It's a complete honour," she said about representing the territory.

Robyn said she enjoys all of the Dene Games but poll push is her favourite team event and snow snake is her favourite individual event.

"I like how there's a lot of technique that goes with it," she said.

Her opportunities to participate in Dene Games has improved over the years with more demonstrations in the communities and greater accessibility, especially for women.

Traditionally women aren't suppose to do handgames or Dene Games but Fort Providence has had women's handgames teams.

"It was interesting to see how people would react," she said.

Robyn talked with her grandparents who were supportive of her goals and gave her permission to practise the games.

As part of their preparation for the Olympics the McLeod sisters, along with the rest of the traditional games team, are learning how to teach the games to the younger generation. The team met in Yellowknife from Nov. 27 to 29 for a weekend training camp.

The camp focused on training the participants, building team cohesion and working on their performances of the specific games. The athletes also learned how to teach the games and talk about them.

On Sunday, the athletes ran a three-hour teaching session with students from Mildred Hall in Yellowknife.

"We had a lot of fun teaching them," said Shawna.

In Vancouver, the members of the team will be supporting each other as they demonstrate their specific sports whether they are Dene or Inuit, said Gary Schauerte, the acting director of the sport, recreation and youth division of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

There will be approximately eight athletes and two coaches in Vancouver throughout the Olympics and Paralympics. The whole team will be there during the Northern Weekend from Feb. 18 to 20.

The athletes will be giving performances at a variety of designated sites around the city and Whistler, said Schauerte.

In West Vancouver, they will also be working with a number of schools to provide camps that will teach students about traditional games.

"It's a tremendous opportunity for these young leaders in the North," he said.