The first all-women’s handgames tournament is being held this weekend, the Mother’s Day weekend.

Doronn Fox, president of the 14 Nations Handgames Society, said society members were discussing what they should do for their next event, having held successful tournaments before Christmas and at Rendezvous.

It was decided before they did anything else, it was important to first recognize and honour women, particularly in these times, he said in an interview this week.

Fox said all the money raised this weekend will go towards Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Children.

Efforts will be made to ensure the money stays local, though the society is open to support initiatives in northern B.C. where there remains the tragic legacy of the Highway of Tears, said Fox, a 26-year-old indigenous Yukoner.

He said men will do the organizing, volunteering, cooking and drumming through the weekend for no pay.

Entry will cost $50 per participant or $300 per team, and all the entrance money will go towards the purse, as is typical, he said.

Fox said while in some cultures women are not allowed to participate in handgames, they’ve always been welcome in the Yukon.

The All Women Handgames Tournament runs all weekend at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, with registration beginning at 5 p.m. Friday.

The handgames society was formed in February 2015 by Fox and others concerned about the diminishing number of handgame tournaments across the territory.

He said when he was growing up, there were several tournaments through the year but the number fell off significantly over time.

As part of establishment the society had a drum made by local artist Justin Smith. When members attended a tournament in Gameti, N.W.T., they gave the drum to the community as show of respect, Fox said.

The drum, he said, is at the heart of indigenous culture.

“I have seen the drum do amazing things,” he said of his work revitalizing culture among youth.

Fox said as part of this weekend’s tournament they’ll be organizing raffles, 50-50 draws, a silent action ... they’ve started a gofundme campaign.

But it’s not just about raising money, he insisted.

Fox said it’s all about recognition and showing support for women in these times.

In traditional teachings, it was the women who held the power of the drum a long, long time ago, and it was the women who gave that power to the men in their time of need, he said.

Fox said it was always understood that some day that power would be returned to the women.

He said there’ll be dancers and singers from across the Yukon attending this weekend’s tournament. In his business of revitalizing indigenous culture, Fox said he has met some strong indigenous women across the country, and he expects some of them will be here this weekend.

Organizers are hoping for at least 20 teams “but if it’s under that, it will still be an amazing tournament,” he said.

“You never know, we might have over 30, which would be insane.”