A traditional gambling game was demonstrated by a group of men for Indigenous People’s Week

Indigenous People’s Week continues at Cal Poly Humboldt and today it was celebrated by playing a traditional gambling game of cards. 

The game consists of two opposing teams with dealers, drumming and songs. The object of the game is trying to guess the hand that has a distinct card that’s different from the rest of the deck. 

“It’s so spiritual, really,” said Anthony Bennett a Youth Mentor at Two Feathers organization. “It’s because you’re feeling, your understanding these people’s emotions around you. You have another team singing against you in that like it’s supposed to block your mind and it’s kind of like a distraction.”

The traditional gambling game of cards connects you to the group you are playing and surrounded with. It’s more than just fun, it’s about cultural teachings that can be incorporated into everyday life, said Donald Moore, a youth mentor at Two Feathers. Moore adds that this game is a tool when he works with children.

“It’s like the way you carry yourself, whether it’s at school, whether it’s with family, or whether it’s with your community [it] builds your luck with this game,” Moore said. “It’s a really popular game along with younger males. So that’s what I kind of use as a tool.”