First Peoples Buffalo Jump Traditional Games

Saturday, June 09, 2012 - Saturday, August 11, 2012

This summer First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park will be presenting 3 traditional games clinics. The three team games offered will be Double ball, Shinny and Traditional Lacrosse. A fourth individual game will be offered called Hoop and Arrow in addition to the team games. The games will be taught and played on the playing fields outside of the visitor center. These clinics will be offered on the following dates:

June 9: 2:00pm - 4:00pm

July 7: 2:00pm - 4:00pm

August 11: 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Included in these presentations will be a brief outline on the history of the games and construction of the game pieces used in the team activities. These ball games were very popular among many North American tribes. The games demanded agility, teamwork, stamina and skill in running, passing and throwing. Since many of these games involved hitting or passing the ball with a stick, players had to avoid blows from their opponents. Occasionally, one tribe or band would compete against another in these games and it varied on how the game was played and by whom from tribe to tribe.

For more information on these games and many others you can do research through a book by Stewart Culin called "Games of the North American Indians". In addition you can become an instructor and even earn college credits and find more research materials through the International Traditional Games Society at www.traditionalnativegames.org.

Staff and volunteers will be presenting the games.