Alaska Native Youth Olympics Celebrate Ancestral Skills And Heritage

Gunnar Davis, 14, of Cordova ,competes in the Wrist Carry during the first day of the Native Youth Olympics Senior Games at the Alaska Airlines Center, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Anchorage, Alaska.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Native Youth Olympics in Anchorage, Alaska, is a celebration of Alaska Native culture and heritage, where young athletes compete in events that pay homage to the skills and techniques of their ancestors. These games, rooted in survival in the harsh polar climate, serve as a way to preserve traditions and educate the youth about their history.

Participants engage in a variety of unique competitions that mimic the challenges faced by their forebears. The stick pull event simulates the struggle of holding onto a slippery seal, while the broad jump mirrors leaping across ice floes on the frozen ocean. These activities were once essential for Alaska Natives to become successful hunters and navigate the unforgiving environment.

Nicole Johnson, a highly decorated Native athlete and event official, emphasizes the importance of these games in preserving culture and sharing it with others. With over 100 medals in Native Olympic competitions, Johnson's passion for these traditions is evident. The seal hop, a crowd favorite, showcases the stealthy approach used by ancestors to hunt seals on ice.

Competitions mimic ancestral survival skills in harsh environments.

Native Youth Olympics honors Alaska Native culture and heritage.

Events like stick pull and broad jump pay homage to traditional hunting techniques.

Nicole Johnson, a decorated athlete, emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural traditions.

Colton Paul excels in events like scissors broad jump, showcasing ancestral skills.

Awaluk Nichols values the opportunity to explore her Inupiaq heritage through competitions.

Participants find pride and belonging by staying connected to their roots.

Seal hop and wrist carry competitions symbolize ancestral hunting and nomadic lifestyles.

Native Youth Olympics educates youth about their history and traditions.

Colton Paul, a record-breaking athlete from Kipnuk, exemplifies the dedication to these sports. His achievement in the scissors broad jump reflects the power and balance required to navigate icy terrains. For Paul, participating in Native Youth Olympics is a way to honor his heritage and connect with his ancestors' survival skills.

Awaluk Nichols, a high school junior, values the opportunity to explore her Inupiaq heritage through these events. She highlights the significance of maintaining cultural connections in a changing world. The wrist carry competition, requiring teamwork and endurance, symbolizes the strength needed for nomadic lifestyles and heavy loads.

For participants like Nichols, engaging in Native Youth Olympics is not just a physical challenge but a means of staying connected to their roots. By embracing these traditions, they find a sense of pride and belonging in their cultural heritage.