The High Prairie School Division held its fifth annual Pakisiwin (Hand Games) Tournament on Tuesday, April 4. This year was the largest turnout to date, with twelve teams participating.

Kinuso School won first place in the junior/senior category, and the High Prairie Elementary Thunderbirds won first place in the elementary category.

This version of hand games was passed on to Elder Herman Sutherland by the Dene people, and he has guided each of these teams. This is an elaborate, fast-paced game requiring quick hand-eye coordination and astute skill. Paralleling the Arctic Winter Games rules, players use four different hand signals to try and outsmart the opposite team’s captain, who must guess who is holding a small object, and in which hand.

Thank you to Joussard School for hosting this year’s tournament, you all did a great job. Also a big thank you to our referees, Elder Herman Sutherland, Elder Priscilla Sutherland, Freddie Sutherland, and Sherman Chalifoux. Your support is so appreciated.

The two winning teams will compete in the Regional Youth Games Hand tournament held in High Prairie on Friday, May 5 at the Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre.