By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News
The steady beat of hand drums echoed throughout the Tulalip Amphitheater as songs carried into the May 30 evening, and competitors tested their skills for a chance at more than $65,000 in prize money. Teams traveled from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada, gathering in Tulalip for one of the region’s biggest stick game tournaments.
Players arrived from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, with some camping on-site and others staying at the Tulalip Resort Casino. Regardless of where they came from, they all shared the same goal: making a run at the tournament’s top prizes.
Known by several names, including slahal and bones, the traditional game drew teams of four to six players for the tournament’s biggest night. With a $250 entry fee and a grand prize of $25,000 awaiting the winning team, competition remained fierce from the opening rounds into the early morning hours.
The event began with a prayer, followed by a special tribute from event coordinator and Tulalip tribal member Carrie Fryberg. She honored her father, Cy Fryberg, who had handcrafted drums for the tournament for more than a decade, asking everyone who had received one of his drums to raise it in recognition of his contributions.
“I want to give a big thanks to my dad,” said Carrie. “He has been making 20 drums every year for 14 years, since I have been doing the stick game tournament. He sells drums and also gives out so many. I want to thank my father for everything he has done for the tournament.”
When the final songs were sung and the last sticks were revealed, the championship team hailed from Nanaimo, British Columbia. The winning squad consisted of Anthony Wyse, Percilla Saloperee, Lyla Smith, Peyton Wyse, and Charlyse Brown.
For Anthony, who has only been playing for a short time, the victory was especially meaningful. “I have only been playing for three years. We all started together,” he said, adding that one of his favorite parts of competing is the atmosphere created by the songs and drumming. “I like singing and vibing to the music.”
Asked how it felt to win the tournament, Percilla kept her reaction simple. “It was pretty lit.”
The road to the championship was a long one. Percilla recalled realizing the team had a legitimate chance to win after advancing to the final round. “It was probably when we got called for the last game,” she said. “Our game to make it into the finals was at 11:00 p.m., and we had to wait until 4:00 a.m. to play our final game.”
While the cash prize was substantial, the team said the experience itself was what made the trip worthwhile.
For Peyton, the tournament was about something even more personal.
“I really enjoyed playing with my family; my little brother and his girlfriend,” she said. “Playing with them and seeing them happy makes me feel good, and that’s what’s best for me.”