Honoring, Healing, Celebrating Men of Makizin Game

By MAAJIITAAZIIBIIKWE, MARY SAM

Last summer at this time, after the passing of yet another Elder who lived by the game of Makizin, Dan Wind decided to make time in his busy schedule to raise dollars to expand prize money for the annual Makizin Ataagewin Tournament to honor Elmer Nayquonabe, Perry Benjamin, Larry Wade, and David ‘Amik’ Sam.

David became sick with COVID-19 days before the annual traditional powwow in 2021 and asked his apprentice Randall Nickaboine to serve as the tournament director. Since David’s passing, Randall will now step into the role as the Annual Makizin Ataagewin Tournament Director.

“I sure learned a lot of aspects of the game from these guys," said Randall. "A student of Dave’s now became the teacher. He took me along to help teach kids. I sure miss these old guys a lot. They would all have been here and it’s way different without them, not the same.”

When asked about why it was important to honor these men and their teachings, Dan said he wasn’t sure anyone else would honor these men and someone needed to do this. Dan hopes that the game will continue to make a comeback. “We need to teach the younger generation,” he said.

Dan didn’t play the game growing up, but knows of its importance in helping raise and heal men. Prior to the pandemic, the Mille Lacs tournament would attract 10 to 12 teams annually to our community. Mille Lacs late Elders played a role in inspiring and revitalizing the game across the state and in Wisconsin.

The group photo in this article was taken the last time the four "old guys," as they are lovingly referred to, played together. Additional photos provide a snapshot of the personalities of Elmer, Perry, Larry, and David. Prior to passing, David provided Makizin instruction all over Minnesota and Wisconsin, mentoring young teachers like Randall Nickaboine and grandson Bazile Panek from Red Cliff. Watching the old guys play, laugh, tease one another, and share the game, teaching young men about healing and modeling healthy behavior with a competitive spirit has left an empty spot in the hearts of those who love the game.

Miigwech to Dan, Rosie Kegg, Chris Kegg, Leanne Benjamin, Legislative Branch, and the Mille Lacs Band DNR for their generosity, making and donating blankets to assist with the big prize money this year to honor these men.

About Makizin games returning to Mille Lacs, as interpreted by the late David Sam:

Makizin was banned by the U.S. government for generations. As a result, the game was forgotten in many communities. In recent years, the game had a resurgence, thanks in part to the late Mille Lacs Band Elder Fred Jackson. In the late '70s, Freddy struggled with alcohol and found himself in an American Indian Services halfway house in the Twin Cities, where David was the director. Dave realized that the traditional AA program was not reaching Elder Natives like Freddy, so he asked his senior counselor to seek a new way to work with Freddy.

Freddy told the staff that he remembered playing Makizin and loved the game. He inspired the game at the halfway house, and then the group would drive back to Mille Lacs once a week to play, engaging others to play the game and heal. It was Freddy’s love of the game that resurrected the popularity of the game throughout the region and, most importantly, gave himself and others the courage to turn their lives around.

The men traveled to Red Lake, Roseau Reserve, and Manitoba, just to name a few places, to play the game. Makizin is still being played in Mille Lacs, Red Lake, Leech Lake, Fond du Lac, Red Cliff, and Bad River, thanks to Freddy, David, Elmer, Perry, and Larry — all who loved the game.