Lahal teams compete at Sugarcane
| Events |
By LeRae Haynes
As part of the three-day celebration leading up to the Williams Lake Indian Band Olympic torch ceremony, teams gathered yesterday to play Lahal, a traditional First Nations game that goes back at least 200 hundred years, played by tribes and communities from Canada's extreme north to Mexico.
The games, accompanied by energetic singing and drumming with sticks on a plank and by clever sleight-of-hand movements and a friendly, competitive spirit, were played in the community hall. Homemade stew and fresh bannock were served for players and spectators, and the afternoon ended with an exhibition game between the Hearty Lake Couples from the Anahim area and the Little Warriors from Sugar Cane.
First place in the tournament went to the Hearty Lake Couples and the Little Eagles took second. The Thunder Warriors from Alkali Lake came in third, followed by Tsi Del Del from Alexis Creek.
Captain of the winning team, Irene Toby, said that Lahal is played and enjoyed by people of all ages. "My dad taught me how to play," she said, "and my three-year-old grandaughter plays, too."
Olympic torch runner for Sugarcane, Julie Palmantier, played in the tournament. "I've been playing since I was in Grade one---our whole family plays," she said.
The celebration at Sugarcane leading up to the Olympic torch run continues today, with an elder's luncheon and fireworks tonight. Tomorrow there will be a mini pow-wow with the Little Chiefs, with the Olympic torch run at 4:30.
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