2025 Lahal Tournament

Описание: The Indigenous Education Department of the Greater Victoria School District hosted the second annual Lahal Tournament on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Spectrum Community School. The District was joined by Elders, staff, students, and community members from Sooke School District, Saanich School District, and the W̱SÁNEĆ School Board.

Over 350 students, forming 32 teams and representing more than 18 schools played in the tournament with an additional group of about 300 more students, staff, and community members in attendance to witness the event.

In 2024, teams from Esquimalt, W̱SÁNEĆ, Spectrum, and Reynolds respectively brought home the top four prizes for their schools. Prizes included a custom Lahal set beautifully crafted by Victoria High School student Chris August for each of the top four teams. In 2025, teams from Colquitz, Spectrum, Reynolds, and SJ Burnside took the top four spots, taking home prizes including custom made hoodies, t-shirts, and toques as well as a beautifully handcrafted drum for the winning team to steward for the year until next year’s tournament.

Lahal (also known as Slahal) is a traditional Indigenous game. The game was often played to settle disputes and was played with animal bones or antlers. In more recent times, the game is played for entertainment and uses wooden sticks which range from natural wood to expertly carved or painted game pieces.

Lahal is played between two teams using two sets of “bones” (one marked pair, and one unmarked pair), scoring sticks, and a “king” stick—an extra stick for the team that begins the game. One team conceals sets of bones within their hands, while the other team tries to win scoring sticks by guessing the location of the unstriped bones. Throughout the game, the team that has the bones drums and sings in an attempt to distract the team that is guessing.

At the end of the event, everyone in attendance sang the Celebration Song, composed and gifted to our district by Bradley Dick, to honour the event and the winners of the tournament.