1. CASE STUDY:
C1 Yukon
Hand Games
Promoting hand games and the culture of Yukon First Nations to people of all ages and abilities.
Annual tournament attracts over 30 adult and 25 youth teams. 1

2. PROGRAM PROFILE
Location
Yukon
Link
N/A
Setting
First Nation communities
Project implementation Level
Territorial
Physical Activity Approaches at the Ground-Level, YUKON, Hand Games 2

3. ORGANIZATIONS
Lead Organization
Yukon Hand Games Society
Partners
Drummers, Judges, First Nation
citizens of the Yukon
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4. PROJECT BEGINNINGS
In 1986, the first Yukon Annual Hand Games Tournament was held, modelled after a
similar tournament held in the Northwest Territories. Through the sport of hand games,
the tournament has been creating community, family and togetherness. Each summer,
the previous champions host the 2-3 day long tournament, set up the facilities, recruit
personnel, cook meals and distribute trophies. The sport works all the muscles in the
body and teaches discipline, sportsmanship and community pride. It engages players
on a mental, spiritual, physical and emotional level. Through the popularity of the
games, many communities are now learning to organize local games and train players,
judges, drummers and drum makers.
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5. CRITICAL FACTORS FOR SUCCESS
• The tournament was able to promote the culture and traditions of Yukon First Nation
people.
• Communities hosted local tournaments all year to train players and promote the
sport.
• The games were a source of community pride for the organizers and the
competitors, with high levels of participation from competitors and spectators.
• The communities encourage youth participation from the outset in order to involve
young people and keep the sport alive.
• Fundraisers at the tournament helped collect some costs such as program manager
salaries.
• The games were inclusive, allowing teams to recruit members of any gender, age
and ability.
• There were awards for the youngest, the oldest, the funniest players, the best
shooters, the most traditionally dressed and the one with the most sportsmanship.
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6. ADVICE TO OTHER COMMUNITIES
• It is important to have a sufficient number of well trained and certified judges to
moderate such a complex game
• The success of the games depended on the number of volunteers recruited since
players were able to focus on the game instead of volunteering
• The communities were very pleased with the popularity of drum-making workshops
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7. EVALUATION AND IMPACT
The impact of the games was indicated by the enthusiasm of players and spectators
each year and the requests from others to learn more about it. No formal evaluation
was conducted but participation was estimated at over 400 spectators at the annual
tournament and up to 300 people at the local tournaments.
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8. RESOURCES AND CONTACTS
DENE GAMES An instruction and resource manual,
2nd edition, (2006) Traditional Aboriginal Sport Coaching Resources, Volume One
(Yellowknife, NWT: Sport North Federation).
Teresa Sidney, Vice President, Yukon Hand Games Society
mrsgsidney@hotmail.com
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