In pictures: YKDFN’s 2026 Spring Carnival

Outdoor and indoor events at the annual Yellowknives Dene First Nation Spring Carnival are a testament to endurance and patience.

Multi-generational activities this weekend in Dettah usher in the new season.

Group of people stand around kneeling competitors in hand games. — Hand games at the YKDFN Spring Carnival. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

tent and skidoos on the lake. 2 men can be seen exiting — Randy Baillargeon exits the tent of Donovan Chalifoux. Many fishers set up tents with heating. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio.

Held in and around the Chief Drygeese Centre from March 20-22, the carnival includes a fishing derby, hand games, outdoor competitions such as snow snake and log sawing, as well as social activities for Elders.

The fishing derby started Friday morning across Akaitcho Bay, with competitors hoping to catch the largest fish, such as trout, coney (a type of whitefish) and jackfish (also known as northern pike).

Holes take less than five minutes to create. One of the fishers, Dene Basil, said “the ice is thinner nowadays.” He remembers as a child chisels weren’t as sharp as modern augers, but the ice was thicker as well, Basil said, and holes would take longer to make.

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Man stands over a small hole in the ice with a fishing pole. — Wilfred Crapeau chose to forgo a tent. He said he’s been competing in the fishing derby since 2016. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Man standing on a snow-covered frozen lake holds a fish he caught — Lawrence Goulet caught a fish not long after he was set up. His jackfish did not win. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

A man and a woman stand in front of a table of caught fish — Maverick Betsina, left, and Jennifer Drygeese gave out fishing derby prizes. Betsina opened each fish to check for rot. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Both first and second prize in the fishing derby went to David Lafferty, who won a total of $7,000. The first-time winner said the fish took no time to catch and it felt good to win.

‘Good to see friends and play’

At the hand games tournament, 13 teams signed up to compete.

Group of boys and men gather to play a game and drums — Team names varied from “Team 5 Bucks” and “Dettah Boys” to “Mixer” and “Bannock Makers.” Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

3 boys kneel in front of cloth that covers their hands for a game — Teams take turns hiding small tokens in one hand. The opposing team guesses if it’s hidden in the right or left hand. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

A group of people circle the players of hand games — Philip Liske and his team. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

A game of chance and endurance, hand games also require great patience.

Philip Liske has been competing every year. This year, he’s part of team “Uncles, Cousins and Friends.” He called the game a good pastime.

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“It’s a friendship game,” Liske said. “It’s not a rough game, just a simple game and everybody participates.”

“You’ve got to be patient and just go with the flow,” Liske advised anyone thinking of joining in next time.

A group of men and boys play hand games, with onlookers watching — Drummers and chanting provide a distraction while the team leader makes a guess. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Young boy plays the multigenerational game — The multi-generational game had three to four players under the age of 15 on each team. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Not everything went to plan on the carnival’s opening day.

Pond hockey, for example, had to be postponed until Sunday to resurface the ice.

Flooding the outdoor rink. Organizers were worried the surface was too rough and could potentially cause injuries. They plan to hold pond hockey games on Sunday. Miriam Bosiljevac/Cabin Radio

Even so, competitions that went ahead outdoors included nail pounding, log throw, snow snake (in which a long pole is thrown along the ice) and log sawing.

Sunday brings more contests like tea boiling and snowshoe racing.