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TuesdayMarch2420159ByDALICARMICHAELThepoundingofDenedrumsreverberatedthroughtheheartofFortSmiththisweek-endascompetitorsfromBehchokotoHighLevelAlta.gatheredfortherstofwhatorganizershopetobemanyhandgamestournamentsinthecommunity.UncleGabesFriendshipCentrewashometonineteamsandtheirsupportersastheybattledforcashprizeshoweverformanyattendeesthemoneywasonlysecondarytothegoalofgettingyouthawayfromalcoholanddrugschoosinginsteadtotakepartinanactivitythatwassocialtraditionalandmostimportantlyfun.IntheendteamFrankChannelfromBe-hchokotookrstplacefollowedbyteamTachefromMeanderRiverinsecondandteamDelmerLfromFoxLakeinthird.DwayneBlinkyGladueworkedwithUncleGabesexecutivedirectorTinaMcNeilltoorganizetheevent.FortSmithhostsDenehandgamestournamentGladuehoststheannualChalifouxmixedhandgamestournamentinhishometownofHighLeveleveryMayandhasbeenworkingtorevivethetraditionalgamesandcreateacom-petitivecircuitofteamsthroughouttheregion.Itsallabouthealinghesaid.Wewanttogetthosekidsawayfromdrinkingandpartying.Eventhisweekendwehadnotol-eranceforanysubstanceuse.OnthersteveningofthetournamentparticipantscelebratedtheinauguralFortSmithtournamentastheydancedtothebeatofDeneandCreedrummersfromGardenRiverFoxLakeandMeanderRiver.McNeillandGladuesaidtheywereboththank-fultothemanycommunitybusinessesthatmadethetournamentpossiblebydonatingmoneyandprizes.ThoughthiseventwasboysonlyGladuehopestoreturnwithinthenextmonthorsotoputonamixedgamesforboysandgirls.Themorekidswecangetinvolvedthebetterhesaid.SPORTSANDRECREATIONHANDGAMESPhotosDaliCarmichaelNineteamsgatherinFortSmithfortheinauguralUncleGabesFriendshipCentrehandgamestournament.JasperBurke10monthspracticeshisdrummingwhilecheeringonhisgrandpaDelbertSalopree.TeamTachefromMeanderRiverghtsforthetopprizeof2700.DrummerspoundasTeamBlinkytakesonTeamFrancoisP.inthefirstgameofthetournament.TeamFrankChannelfromBechokowins.FromleftAveryHuskeyVincentRabescaRomanLamouelleJadenSmithZacherySimpsonandBeazoaFootball.TeamFrankChannelpreparestotaketheirwinningmoveinthenalgame.