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Wapnaqn Men's Gathering

January 23, 2025

We held the Wapnaqn Men's Gathering this month in Halifax. Men from across the province had an opportunity to come together to learn about the traditional men's game called Wapnaqn, along with flint knapping.

Wapnaqn is an old traditional dice game that was played by the men in Mi’kmaw communities and was taught to this group by Nelson Paul. In Wapnaqn there are 17 counting sticks that are worth 5 points (Kitmaqnk) 4 sticks that are square at the top and worth 1 point each, and 1 crooked stick that is worth 1 point. The crooked stick can only be won once the player has got all 17 sticks, plus the 4 sticks (squared at the top). It is a race to 90 points, or until someone wins the turtles eggs (all dice facing down).

The men really enjoyed getting together to learn the game and just being in each other's company to talk, laugh and learn. We hope to be able to offer this gathering again in the future.