Objective of the Game

The Lead Game, also called the 'Button Game,' was similar to the Ring Toss, and the Coin Toss as they are played today. A small hole dug into the ground pro­vided the target. The players stood back a certain distance and attempted to throw little pieces of lead into the hole.

It may appear that not much was at stake in this game when lead pellets were played for, but it will be remembered that in the old days, shells were hard to come by. They were traded by the Hudson's Bay trader in small quantities, and it was not uncommon for a hunter to reload a spent cartridge. This was cheaper than having to trade for new ones. Today, this game is also played with coins (25 cents or $1), and the stakes can be quite considerable.

Equipment

1. Usually, a hole is dug into the ground, but a stick about 20cm in length can also be used as the target.
2. Small pieces of lead which the players attempt to throw into the hole. In the old days, lead shot from muzzle loaders was flattened down to the desired size and thickness. They were marked on one side with an 'X'. Small rocks, mar­bles or coat buttons can also be used; they are marked in the same way. In one version of the game played around Rae, each player would play with two or even three pieces of lead, and each player had several attempts per round.

Playing Area

An open, fairly flat space.

Teams and Players

• Among the Dogrib, this game was played by young boys and men; four to six players appears to have been a common number. When played by men, the game was accompanied by gambling.
• Among Gwich'in on the Alaskan side, the girls also played. They used buttons which they referred to as 'their babies.'
• The game was played between individuals. It has not been documented as a team contest.

How to Play

Preparation

• To make a target, a small hole of about 5 cm diameter is dug into the ground. In summertime, a stick may be put in the ground instead.
• Dena'ina: A target is provided by placing a stick is placed in the ground. Rocks are used for throwing.
• A throwing line is marked at a distance of about 3 m from the hole. A throw­ing distance of about 1 Om has also been mentioned.

 Starting Position and Movement

• The players line up behind the throwing line. They take turns attempting to throw their lead piece or pieces into the hole.
• Dena'ina: Every competitor has two attempts trying to knock down the target stick.

Duration and End of Round

Various ways of determining the winner of a round have been recorded.

1. The player whose lead piece lands closest to the stick, or in the hole, wins all the pieces.
2. The player with the best throw chooses the blank side or the side marked with the 'X' ('heads or tails'). He then flips all the pieces into the air, and collects all those which land with the side up he chose. The player with the second best throw then flips the remaining pieces, and so forth, until all the lead pieces have been collected.
3. If several players are successful in throwing their lead pieces into the hole (that is, the round ends in a tie), these players enter a 'play-off' round. All other players leave their lead pieces in the playing area and drop out of the round.

End of Competition

• The players agree before the beginning of play on the number of rounds they want to play.
• To keep the competition going, a successful player would sometimes lend a number of chips back to an unlucky player who had lost all his chips. This gave the second player an opportunity to win back some of his own chips.

Safety Considerations

• Lead fishing weights or smaller objects of similar size and weight should be used instead of lead-shot.
• Spectators should be positioned at the sides of the game play area.
• Players must wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling lead weights.