Alaska Daze

Recently I volunteered for the junior Native Youth Olympic competition (NYO) at my school. After a tense day of watching snow flurries and hoping the village teams wouldn’t be grounded, all but two schools arrived. I jokes! It wasn’t tense because Alaskans are used to weather cancellations and delays. Only us Outsiders get tense about it. The event started with the Pledge of Allegiance in Yupi’k and Eskimo dancing. The competition ran from Friday afternoon through Saturday. The kids bring sleeping bags and stay overnight in the school, boys in the cafeteria and girls assigned to classrooms. The hosting community brings food and volunteers serve the meals. Here are some pictures, followed by an explanation of the competitions.

After each round of jumping, the ball is raised.

The Events

Although the event origins are based on traditional Native activities, the competition is open to all students from seventh to 12th grade, regardless of ethnicity. Originating in 1972, the event has grown from to include more than 69 participating schools.

• The Eskimo Stick Pull
  A game of strength. Successful hunters must be able to pull a seal out of the water. This is no easy task while maintaining balance on snow and ice. Hand, back and leg strength are essential.
• The Wrist Carry
  A test of survival. This event has origins based on hunters being able to carry their game back to the village. Hunters had to develop endurance and strength in order to carry the game over a long distance.
• The One-Hand Reach
  A game to test a person’s control over their body. If a hunter was to become lost on water, for example, they must know the skills to control their body in order not to panic and tip their kayak.
• The Kneel Jump
  Similar to the Scissor Broad Jump in that the hunters must develop the skill of quick movement to be successful in jumping from one ice floe to another. This game also develops leg muscles necessary to lift heavy game and carry it back to the village.
• The Alaskan High Kick
  A test of both the mind and body working together to maintain control.
• The Seal Hop
  A game of sheer endurance - to see how far a person can go on pure determination. This game originated from the hunter imitating the movement of a seal during the hunt.