The Raphael family hosted its second annual Leelanau County (Goon Ginebik) snow snake tournament on Valentines Day earlier this month, with just over 100 community members attending the event at the family’s property in Northport.
Anishinaabe Snow Snake is a traditional winter sport played by sliding carved wooden sticks (snakes) down a snow packed track where the person that throws the longest distance typically wins the game. Age brackets at the Raphael’s snow snake tournament, which was open to the public, included: babies zero to five-years-old, youth (6-12), teenagers (13-17), adults (18 plus), and elders (55-years and older). First, second, and third place medals, as well as some cash prizes, were given to participants in each category, and there was coffee/hot chocolate, smores, chili and frybread available for anyone interested.
Lakota Raphael said he and his family, which included his parents, three sisters and two brothers, first put on the tournament for the public last year. Before then, snow snake tournaments among the family were common for many years, Raphael said, but they wanted to open it for anyone wanting to get involved and be a part of the games.
