By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
Drumbeats of various rhythms and tempos resonated all throughout the Tulalip Amphitheater during the weekend of May 30. Just audible over the dozens of songs and chants being simultaneously performed, guidance came from a pair of giant speakers as event MC, Andre Picard Jr., brought a little organization to the beautiful chaos known as the Tulalip Tribes Annual Stick Games Tournament.
Once a team heard their name called, they packed up their portable chairs and met their opponents on the battlefield, under shade provided by the large tents that were setup at the center of the amphitheater. Placing their chairs directly across from their rivals, the players then brought out all the necessary gameplay items which included their hand drums, large sticks to keep score, and a set of bones.
The sticks and bones are often decked out in Native décor, some hand painted and some beaded with impressive designs. The bones are discreetly distributed amongst the team that is in-play, and a series of songs and hand movements are performed in order to distract the other team from seeing who is in possession of the bones. To win this Indigenous game of legerdemain, the opposing team must correctly guess where exactly the set of bones are located in order to advance in the bracket.
Organized by Carrie Ann Fryberg and family, this is an event that continues to grow year after year, with participants hailing from all throughout the Coast Salish region. In addition to Tulalip, some of the tribes and first nations bands represented at this year’s games included Ahousaht, Cowichan, Skokomish, Tsartlip, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, Lummi, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Swinomish, and Quinault.
According to the ancestral stories, the games have been passed down throughout each generation. Originally, stick games (a/k/a slahal, lahal, or bone games) was introduced to the people by the local Indigenous animals and wildlife thousands of years ago, as a means to prevent warfare and settle a number of intertribal disputes, such as the rights to hunting and fishing grounds.
The tournament is open to all ages and provides an opportunity for multi-generational families and teams to learn, share, and enjoy the traditional game together. This year featured numerous cash prizes throughout the weekend, and the grand prize of $25,000 was claimed by Talon Tohtsoni’s crew, the first-place team in the main bracket.
Well over 100 teams competed for moola, bragging rights, and drums designed by Cy Fryberg. As always, the games extended late into each night, and the visitors were provided space to set up their tents along the Tulalip Resort Casino parking lot in order to get some rest in between their matches.
Aside from the main attraction of the games, a major highlight of the tournament for observers and players alike is supporting a number of Indigenous-owned businesses. Local artists and chefs set up shop at the amphitheater and sold the likes of Indian tacos, kettle corn, hot dogs, caffeinated beverages, smoked salmon, as well as Native-designed clothing, blankets, and jewelry all weekend long. This included a handful of Tulalip vendors like Josh Fryberg and Family, Jared’s CORN-er, TeePee Creepers, Big House of Doggs, Traveler’s Drinks & Grub To-Go, KKONA cedar jewelry, and Captain Kirk’s Smoked Salmon.
Following this year’s tournament, Andre took to Facebook to share, “This was a very fun weekend! Big thank you to Carrie Ann Fryberg and family for organizing this Stick Games Tournament every year. It is an honor and privilege to MC and to get to speak in front of the beautiful stick game families. Safe travels home to all the stickgamers near and far. See you all soon, love you all!”