The first Treaty 3 regional tournament of champions went off as a resounding success last weekend in Kenora.

Crowds floated between the Keewatin Arena and the Kenora Recreation Centre as 12 teams from across the Treaty battled on the ice for the top spot.

All told, nearly 1,300 spectators made their way through the gates for over the three-day tournament.
The Whitefish Bay predators took top spot Sunday with a 4-3 win over the White Dog Falcons to claim the $6,000 purse.

The Predators’ Bruce Crow put two on the board, setting up Tom White JR.’s game winner in the second.

Whitedog’s David Bunting scored two in the final, but it wasn’t enough and the Falcons settled for a $3,000 runner-up prize.

Big Grassy dropped the B final to the Shoal Lake Flyers 6-4, despite Fred Archie and Jesse Tom each scoring two points. The Flyers’ Mike Fair scored two goals to secure the win.

In the C final, the Grassy Eagles beat out the Whitefish Bay Rangers 5-3 on the back of Keon Keewatin’s three point game.

The Treaty tournament was a lead-in and warm up for the local teams playing in the 19th North American First Nations tournament in Kenora this weekend, which will see 20 teams battle for a $10,000 top prize.

There’s also a 10-team oldtimers division.

Last year’s high level of local participation brought the crowds in throngs, so Kenora community events coordinator Buck Matiowski wants to give the area teams a chance to warm up before jumping into the pool with the Manitoba teams.

Last weekend’s bout brought nearly 1,300 fans to the rink, while last year’s NAFN tournament saw 1,500 people for the final, 1,200 on Saturday and another 1,000 on Friday.

Matiowski is looking to parlay that hype for this years skate, which kicks off the spring season. “It’s the first of the aboriginal events of the spring,” he said. “All the powwows follow the tournament. It’s the kick off of the First Nations entertainment season.”

Top place this weekend will net $10,000, second will scoop $5,000 and third will receive $3,000. Over the two weekends, more than $24,000 in prize money will have been awarded.

It’s the prize money, said Matiowski, that keeps the competition tight-as-a-drum. “With a $10,000 prize, it’s not just for fun anymore. These teams are serious.”