Canada Winter Games comes north of 60 for first time
Dene games included at Canada Winter Games
Canada Winter Games showcase Inuit Games
Canada Winter Games comes north of 60 for first time
By Dene Skylar
The Canada Winter Games will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon from February 24 to March 10, 2007. This is the first time that these important games will be held north of the 60th parallel in Canada. The Canada Games originated in 1967 and have been a major sporting event held every two years since. The Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse will celebrate the 40th year since the games began.
An estimated 3,500 athletes, coaches and officials will be participating in the Arctic Winter Games along with over 4,500 volunteers. Twenty-two sport and cultural events will take place over this exciting two week period. Athletes will compete for medals in the following sports: Alpine Skiing; Archery; Artistic gymnastics; Badminton; Biathlon; Boxing; Cross Country Skiing; Fencing, Figure Skating; Free Style Skiing; Judo, Men’s Hockey; Ringette; Speed skating; Squash; Synchronized Swimming; Shooting; Table Tennis; Wheelchair Basketball, Women’s Hockey as well as Snow Boarding as a demonstration sport. In addition to these sports there will be Dene, Inuit and Inuvialuit Games showcased during a Traditional Games Pan Northern Event. Whitehorse will be bouncing with life as the Canada Winter Games bring the energy of sport to this beautiful northern city.
An event the size of the Canada Winter Games could never happen without community, corporate and government support. One of the first northern corporate partners to sign on as a major sponsor was Northwestel. Northwestel is going to provide essential communications services required to stage the 2007 Games including local service and equipment, video and teleconferencing services, web hosting services and Internet. According to Northwestel literature, “The Company’s total contribution of cash and in-kind gifts to the Games is valued at over $360,000. Northwestel has a long history of supporting the North's own Arctic Winter Games since they began in 1974 and this commitment is being carried forward to supporting the Canada Winter Games.”
Another major corporate agency to sponsor the 2007 Canada Winter Games is the Yukon Lottery Commission. Piers MacDonald , President of Whitehorse 2007 jeux du Canada Winter Games Host Society accepted a one million dollar cheque from Deryck Hockley, Chair, Yukon Lottery Commission and Anne Tayler, past-chair, Yukon Lottery Commission in September, 2004. The Yukon is famous for planning major events. They started planning for the 2007 Canada Winter Games by creating a special fund in 1995. If the games were awarded to Whitehorse, the funds would support the games. Talk about vision and dedication.
Yukon Lottery Commission literature states, “$20 million in net revenues earned and allocated by the Yukon Lottery Commission over the past twenty years has directly and indirectly contributed to Yukon's preparedness for hosting of Canada's National Winter Games in 2007. Funding has contributed to capacity building for athletes, coaches, officials, infrastructure development, and overall community recreation volunteer development, providing Yukoners with the technical competence and skills necessary to host and compete in the diverse activities of the Canada Winter Games. The cultural component has equally benefited from lottery revenue allocation, providing both individuals and performing artists with tools to showcase Yukon to the Nation.”
Besides these two huge community-minded sponsors, there are thousands of volunteers and other corporate sponsors who are keen in lending a hand to make the 2007 Canada Winter Games a great success. Canadians and northerners will be proud of the magnificent northern hospitality showcased by the phenomenal Yukon team that will bring the north to the world through sports and culture at the 2007 Canada Winter Games. Cheers to you all from Native Journal and our readership across Canada!
Dene games included at Canada Winter Games
By Dene Skylar
Sports fans and athletes attending the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, Yukon from February 24 to March 10, 2007 will be pleasantly surprised when they are treated to Dene Games during the Traditional Games Pan Northern Event. The Dene are one of the farthest reaching Aboriginal groups in North America. Dene traditional territory stretches from northern Canada, Alaska throughout the Yukon, NWT, BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Washington, Oregon, California, Northern Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. The Dene have developed their own unique Dene Games which add significant life to the Canadian Cultural quilt.
The Snow Snake, a Dene game, evolved from a hunting tool used to harvest small game.
The following Dene Games are going to be showcased during the Traditional Games Pan Northern Event at the Canada Winter Games. Medals will be presented for each of these competitions.
The Finger Pull is a finger pulling competition of endurance and strength. Two athletes lock their middle fingers together. They then stand side by side and pull with all their finger, hand and arm strength. The winner is decided by the last athlete able to stand and not get pulled over or the one capable of enduring the painful finger pulling experience.
The Hand Games – or Stick Gambling as it is sometimes referred to – is one of the most revered Traditional Games among the Dene of Alaska, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. The thunder of drums, chanting and hand gestures make this game a truly traditional marvel to experience. Teams compete by having a line of men seated on the floor with drummers behind them drumming singing –facing a similar team opposite them. The opposing team has a leader that tries to guess in which hand the men on the opposing side have a small object. A stick is obtained for every correct guess. Similarly the other team gets a stick for every missed guess. The winning group is the one that is able to get all the sticks to their side. Dene Hand Games embody the true competitive spirit of the Dene.
The Snow Snake is a Dene game that evolved from a hunting tool used to harvest small game. In competition, the athlete throws the snow snake (similar to a javelin) in an underhand through. The athlete that throws the snow snake the furthest wins the competition.
In the Stick Pull a leader, Elder or one of the good hunters would invite the village people to a feast. Once everyone has eaten, the men and boys joined in the stick pull. A stick is placed in each participant’s hand and they pull on it. The winner is the athlete capable of holding onto the stick.
The Pole Push is a Dene game where two teams of four cling to one stick and try to push their opponents out of a circle. Tough, flexible, focused and team work is what this game is about.
The Dene Traditional Games come from a vibrant and rich Dene Culture. They embody a time when Dene were closely connected to the land and waters that sustained them. The Dene Games will add an interesting cultural flavor to the Canada Winter Games. They will help to make the games the truly rich social, cultural, recreational-sports experience of 2007.
Canada Winter Games showcase Inuit Games
By Dene Skylar
By Aarviunaa
The Canada Games started on Canada’s 100th birthday in 1967. That was 40 years ago! The games are held every two years and alternate between Summer and Winter. Since then the Canada Games have grown stronger with every event by bringing Canadians together through a celebration of sports, recreation and culture. The Canada Winter Games will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon from February 24 to March 10, 2007.
The Arm Pull is a challenge of patience, stamina, strength and fierce focus.
This year the Canada Winter Games will continue its amazing celebration of sports, recreation and culture by including traditional games of the Inuit and Inuvialuit. The ancient games of the Inuit and Inuvialuit were developed by the original people’s of the arctic and are unique to their cultures. These games add to the vibrant cultural quilt that makes Canada the best place in the world to pursue life, love and happiness!
The following is a list and brief explanation of the Inuit and Inuvialuit Games that will be showcased during the Pan North Inuit Games Competition at the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse:
The ever popular One Foot High Kick. Considered one of the most difficult games, this crowd pleaser is a definite must see. An athlete runs up to a small hanging seal and pushes off into the air with one foot and kicks with the other foot. The athlete must kick the seal and land on the same foot he kicked the seal with. Athletes have kicked over nine feet high in this exciting sport.
Two Foot High Kick is played by one athlete who runs and jumps with both feet attempting to kick a small seal. The athlete has to land on both feet after kicking the seal. Balance is key in this challenging sport. Try it and you will be amazed at how difficult it is to get any real height…unless you train that is!
The Alaskan High Kick is an Inuit game that can be played in a confined area. The athlete does not have to run up to the kicking target and the space required is no larger than the length of an athlete’s full body length in diameter or extension.
The One Hand Reach is pure body strength combined with psychological focus. The athlete places all body weight on one hand and while balancing in this precarious position reaches up with the other hand to strike at a seal. The athlete that reaches the highest height successfully wins.
The Kneel Jump is exactly as it name is. An athlete from the kneeling position thrusts forward to land on two feet. The athlete that is able to jump the furthest is the winner. The game developed from Inuit and Inuvialuit hunting, sealing and flow ice situations that required dexterity, agility and fast sudden movement.
The Swing Kick is another game that might look easy but when engaged tests one’s strength, flexibility and focus. Athletes try to touch a hanging target with both feet while supporting their body weight on their hands.
The Arm Pull is a challenge of patience, stamina, strength and fierce focus. Two athletes square off by locking one arm together while sitting facing each other with legs intertwined. The athletes in their leg lock and arm brace pull on the single arm. The winner is the athlete that can pull the other person over.
All of these Inuit and Inuvialuit Games test strength, endurance, flexibility, focus along with good competitive spirit. They are unique and embody a time when people were firmly connected to their land and waters for survival and sustenance. Athletes participating in these games will win medals and the appreciation of an excited crowd.
The following Inuit Games will be demonstrated only for the viewer’s pleasure: Knuckle Hop, Airplane, Head Pull, Triple Jump, Bench, Reach, Toe Hang, Blanket Toss. The Inuit and Inuvialuit Games will definitely be a huge hit as they keep people aware of the incredibly beautiful and diverse aboriginal cultures that make Canada the envy of uni-cultural nations. Make sure you get out and watch, cheer or partake in these exciting games. Ilannilu, “See you sometime,” in Siglitun – Inuvialuit language.