In pictures: A beautiful weekend at the Peel River Jamboree

Light snow gave way to sunshine on Saturday, beaming down on a Peel River Jamboree that seemed to have everybody smiling.

“The weather turned out beautiful for us to do some games outdoors,” said organizing committee member Sierra Daley as tea-boiling and nail-driving took place, while snowmobile races got going nearby.

Sierra Daley has helped to organize the Peel River Jamboree for the past half a decade. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

Stanley Bonnetplume gets ready for the afternoon snowmobile races. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

Over by the Ski-doos, Stanley Bonnetplume was laughing as he described his enthusiasm for those races.

“I never come last, I’m always first,” he said with a grin. “Every year, never miss. I never missed a race in my life.”

The Peel River Jamboree is a three-day event with no drugs or alcohol allowed. Traditional games, sled races and the all-important jigging contest are accompanied by an evening talent show.

Advertisement.

The community Northern store contributed talent show prizes. The NWT Power Corporation and Gwich’in Tribal Council helped sponsor other events.

Snowmobile racing at the jamboree. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

A child watches the snowmobile races get under way. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

A scene from the log-sawing contest. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

Verna Itsi (left) is known by her friends as "Little chainsaw Verna" for her log cutting skills. This year, Verna came in second place at Fort McPherson's Peel River Jamboree. Chloe Williams/Cabin Radio — Verna Itsi, left, with friends after placing second in her log-saw contest. Chloe Williams/Cabin Radio

Verna Itsi won second place in the log-sawing contest. She performed so well that her friends had good-naturedly dubbed her “the little chainsaw.”

“I think I did good. It’s hard at the beginning. Once you get into it, then it’s easy,” she said.

The jamboree is a decades-long tradition. Ken Martin can remember coming out for events to celebrate spring as far back as the late 1960s.

Advertisement.

“I enjoy seeing people get together and have fun. Nice compliments we share with each other, have a good dance – enjoy,” he said.

Ken Martin, right, with Larry Robert. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

Dorothy Koe and her friend Rosalie Ross. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

Cousins Salu and Storm hug. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

Three generations attend the jamboree. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

Julia Robert and Charlie Thomas. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

Even when the Covid-19 pandemic cancelled the jamboree in 2020, the jigging contest still went ahead online, to great acclaim.

This year, a pancake breakfast and snowshoe races are also on the weekend schedule.

The pancakes “were delicious,” said Sarah Morris, attending her first jamboree.

“It’s beautiful and sunny so we thought we’d come down and check it out,” she said, accompanied by her newborn.

Katelyn Smith with baby Mira, left, and Sarah Morris with baby Charli. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

Blindfolded toboggan races. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

The three-legged race. Simona Rosenfield/Cabin Radio

“The people are very welcoming and it’s been great to get to know everybody,” she said of the Beaufort Delta community, which – less than a year ago – faced the threat of severe flooding, an incident that was soon overshadowed by the raging wildfire season elsewhere in the NWT.