~Sandpoint Idaho Info~

Kalispel Stick Game

Kalispel ceremonies consisted of singing, dancing, feasting, and gambling—or playing the stick game.

The game required two teams, number of players did not matter. The players of both teams would squat across from each other, each behind a long pole laid on the ground.

Both teams had an equal number of sticks about 12" long, all but one completely stripped of bark. The other kept a small band around its center.

One player from each team would shuffle the sticks secretly behind his back and then hold them out in front of him. Someone from the opposing team then tried to guess which stick had the strip of bark. If he guessed right, the first team would have to give up one of their sticks to the winner's team. If, however, he guessed wrong, his team had to give up a stick. Whichever team attained all the sticks won. Sometimes the game lasted days.

Women were not allowed to play, but would watch from the sidelines, chanting and beating long poles with sticks to create a rhythm. The men who did not participate in the game would place bets on who would win.