It’s a unique tradition, built on trickery and deception.

And the 14 Nations Handgames Society is aiming to bring it back.

Last weekend, 23 teams made up of nearly 140 athletes packed the Na’kwa’ta ‘Ku Potlach House in Mount McIntyre for a two-day mini tournament.

Pelly Crossing’s Northern Lights Gamblers won the adult division, over Ross River’s Kaskanova and Whitehorse-based Da Dun Da Das.

Each of the Gamblers took home $450 for their title victory.

The River Rocks took the youth title, ahead of the host McIntyre Muskrats and Ross River Rockers.

“This was our first hand games tournament,” said society president Doronn Fox.

“The reason we held it was because of all the loss in the communities. ... Hand games brings people together and makes them have fun. We need to do more together, basically.”

The game is played six-on-six, with players hiding tokens in one of their hands, Fox explained.

Dancing and drumming ensues while the rival team’s captain attempts to point out opponent’s token-holding hands.

Players who successfully hide their tokens earn one of the 14 game sticks available. Winning all 14 sticks earns teams a game stick, of which there are three.

Two game stick wins equals a match victory. Game length can vary from a few minutes to a few hours.

Ross River’s Amos Dick, celebrating his 97th birthday this week, was awarded several gifts.

The 14 Nations Handgames Society was formed 10 months ago to advocate for the sport, Fox explained.

“We want to make the sport more popular,” he said Tuesday. “It’s a good way to help our First Nation people stay away from drugs and alcohol.

“The drum helps with people staying away from substances. ... It’s a spiritual thing for us as people.”

The society spent the past few months attempting to revive the sport in the territory, visiting schools and celebrations to teach hand games.

Fox said a major tournament is in the works for Rendezvous, with the top prize expected to be $6,000.

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