2026 Traditional Games Championship Powered by NorthwesTel Wrap Up

The 2026 Traditional Games Championship (TGC), powered by Northwestel, wrapped up this weekend in Yellowknife. A total of 21 teams from across the Northwest Territories came together to compete in both Dene Games and Northern Games, with each school aiming to claim the top overall title.

It was a fast-paced, jam-packed weekend, with the entire competition condensed into two full days of events. Athletes competed across strength, endurance, and skill-based disciplines, with strong performances throughout and several new records set along the way.

RESULTS

Text in red denotes a new TGC record.

Team Overall Standings

1st - William McDonald School

2nd - Weledeh Catholique School

3rd - East Three Elementary School

Girls Triple Jump

1st - Kazelie Mauchan, William McDonald - 19'6"

2nd - Julianna Kay, Moose Kerr & Angik - 18'2"

3rd - N.J MacPherson, Raine Embodo - 17'3"

Boys Triple Jump

1st - Izaiah Lindsay-Manuel, East Three - 24'2"

2nd - Nathaniel Graham, William McDonald - 22'6.75"

3rd - Oba Adekoya, Chief T'Selehye School - 22'1"

Girls Wrist Hang

1st - Matilda Gamble, Itlo/Range Lake North - 27.93 seconds

2nd - Raine Embodo, NJ MacPherson - 24.35 seconds

3rd - Ellie Rivera, Itlo - 16.60 seconds

Boys Wrist Hang

1st - Coleman Grady, Itlo/Range Lake North - 41.97 seconds

2nd - Canaan MacDonalds, Mildred Hall - 33.03 seconds

3rd - Carter Masazumi, Mackenzie Mountain - 29.40 seconds

Girls One-Foot High Kick

1st - Kazelie Mauchan, William McDonald - 5'8"

2nd - Raine Embodo, N.J Mcpherson - 5'6"

3rd - Abagail Voudrach, East Three - 5'6"

Boys One-Foot High Kick

1st - Izaiah Lindsay-Manuel, East Three - 7'2"

2nd - Kaiden Wolki, Moose Kerr & Angik - 6'

3rd - Bryson Kuptana, Helen Kalvak - 5'10"

Girls Two-Foot High Kick

1st - Kazelie Mauchan, William McDonald - 4'5"

2nd - Raine Embodo, N.J Mcpherson - 3'9"

3rd - Abagail Voudrach, East Three - 3'9"

Boys One-Foot High Kick

1st - Izaiah Lindsay-Manuel, East Three - 4'10"

2nd - Kaiden Wolki, Moose Kerr & Angik - 4'8"

3rd - Bryson Kuptana, Helen Kalvak - 4'8"

Girls Snow Snake

1st - Carley Fabian, Chief Sunrise Education Centre - 141'6"

2nd - Madelaine Mackenzie, Chief Jimmy Bruneau - 123'

3rd - Fraydee Greenland, Moose Kerr & Angik - 112'7"

Boys Snow Snake

1st - Carter Betsina, Weledeh Catholic - 261'7"

2nd - Ariel Nepomuceno, 255'4.5"

3rd - Alex Sinclair, William McDonald - 245'4"

Girls Stick Pull

1st - Abrielle Camille, Weledeh Catholique School

2nd - Emeri McNeely Clark, Mackenzie Mountain School

3rd - Fraydee Greenland, Moose Kerr & Angik

Boys Stick Pull

1st - Ariel Nepomuceno, Weledeh Catholique School

2nd - Braydon Krengnektak, Moose Kerr & Angik School

3rd - Nathaniel Graham, William McDonald School

Pole Push

1st - William McDonald School

2nd - Weledeh Catholique School

3rd - Chief T'Selehye School

Hand Games

1st - William McDonald School

2nd - Moose Kerr & Angik & Mackenzie Mountain

3rd - East Three Elementary School

Beyond the results, the weekend was a strong reminder of what makes the Traditional Games special. The level of competition continues to grow each year, but just as important is the sportsmanship, respect, and pride shown by all teams throughout the event.

Thank you to Northwestel for their continued partnership and support of the Traditional Games.

A big thank you to Bella Dance for preparing meals for over 200 people throughout the event.

Thank you to École Sir John Franklin for allowing us host TGC again at their school.

And thank you to all officials and volunteers for their time and effort in making the event run smoothly.

That’s a wrap on the 2026 TGC. It was a strong weekend all around, with competitive events and a lot of good performances across the board. Looking forward to building on it next year!