Hand Games Tournament a cultural competition
By Jerry W. Kram
Drums resounded in the cafeteria of the Edwin Loe Elementary School in New Town as competitors stared intently at the faces of the opposing team, looking for the smallest twitch of an eyelid or quiver of a lip that could betray the thoughts and reveal the whereabouts of the marked bones.
That was the scene of the second annual MHA Nation High School Hand Games Tournament. Parshall won the initial tournament in 2013 and the Bone Crusher team of Allison Moran, Asa Jo Deane, Minnie Two Shields and Houston White Bear defended the school’s title. They managed to eliminate the Zaggitads (Not Good) team from New Town but couldn’t overcome the Madaydagi (Buffalo) team from New Town of Kobe Morsette, Collin Mossett, Kolby Lone Bear-Smith, Braiden Standish and Ryan Bagley, who went through the double elimination tournament undefeated.
"We have different events throughout the year that promotes language and culture," said Jennifer Young Bear, a cultural specialist with the MHA Education Department. "The High School Hand Game Tournament is one of those events. Parshall won the event last year, but New Town will have the bragging rights for the coming year.
