News Release
World Eskimo-Indian Olympics Showcases Indigenous Cultures and Traditions
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA - July 2, 2007 - Anchorage will host the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (WEIO) for the first time in the event’s 46-year history beginning July 18, 2007, at the Sullivan Arena. The 4-day competition will feature games based on ancestral hunting and survival techniques. Each competition focuses on the contestant’s strength, agility, endurance and sheer power of will; honoring skills that are still used and prized by Alaska’s vibrant Native culture. Hundreds of Native peoples from circumpolar regions around the globe will participate in this one-of-a kind event.
“Anchorage is honored to host WEIO,” says Mark Begich, Anchorage Mayor. “The traditions, values and influence of Alaska Native cultures positively impact our city everyday, from conducting business with Rural Alaska that is essential to our economy to the children that attend Anchorage schools. It is our privilege to work with the Anchorage Native community and celebrate the cultural games, languages and traditions of Alaska Native peoples.”
The WEIO games are truly centuries in the making. Living off what nature provides in the far North requires an enormous amount of resilience. Hunting seals and caribou, kayaking and providing shelter in the northern climes forced early Alaska Native peoples to acquire a unique set of skills. Practice was necessary as one false move in this part of the world can mean certain death. Games were created to pass on knowledge of this expertise from generation to generation. Eventually, villages started to engage in friendly competition.
The World Eskimo Indian Olympics honors this rich heritage with contests in more than 15 distinctive categories such as the ear pull, knuckle hop, greased pole walk, and blanket toss. The high-kick, the games premier event, requires the athlete to jump off the floor using both feet, kick a suspended object with one foot, and land on the floor using that same foot demonstrating balance and agility to the floor officials. The World-Record for the high-kick (Canadian-style) is 9 feet 8 inches. Other WEIO events highlight Alaska Native/Indian dance and storytelling. Traditional cuisine also features prominently in the competition. Salmon, a staple of the culture, is utilized in the Fish Cutting Contest. Contestants must use an ulu -an extremely sharp, versatile knife primarily used for skinning animals- to quickly and cleanly fillet the entire fish. A muktuk (whale skin and blubber) eating contest rounds out the event’s food exhibitions.
“For hundreds of years, Native peoples of the circumpolar areas of the world have gathered in small villages to participate in games of strength, endurance, balance and agility,” says Perry Ahsogeak, WEIO Board of Governors chair. “In the past, the goal was to teach survival skills. Now it’s also about preserving cultures rich with history, stories and spirituality.”
WEIO events happen at the Sullivan Arena, Anchorage’s largest sports venue. Events during the day are free, while evening events are $10 for general admission; $8 for Elders and children ages 5 - 18, and free for children 4 years and younger. Free Parking for the event is provided by BP Alaska. For more information or a schedule of events, visit www.anchorage.net/WEIO
The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics is made possible with the support of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, Chugach Alaska, CIRI, Doyon, BP Alaska, Cal Worthington Ford, Shell Oil and Municipal Light & Power.
The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage. ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by the lodging association. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund and one-third goes to the Anchorage Civic & Convention Center construction project. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. For more information, explore www.Anchorage.net
The following are descriptions of three WEIO events:
Blanket Toss -- Several walrus skins are used for this event to create a “blanket” that is roughly 8 feet in diameter. Rope is threaded through holes on the edges and used for handle grips. One person stands in the middle of the skin while being tossed - sometimes as high as 30 feet - landing on his/her feet without falling down. The blanket toss is one means people used for spotting game over the horizon. It also is done in whaling communities in the spring for the simple exhilaration it provides to celebrate a successful whaling season.
Eskimo Stick Pull -- This event showcases the strength needed when bringing a seal in from the hole in the ice. Two athletes face each other sitting on the ground with their feet pressed together and knees bent. A stick, one-inch in diameter, is placed between them where their feet meet. Each athlete grabs the stick and positions their hands so that one person's hands are on the inside, and the other's hands are on the outside. Using the legs, arms, back, and a sure grip, the contestants then attempt to pull the stick away from their opponent. The winner is the person who is either able to pull their opponent over, or the one who pulls the stick out of the opponent's hands.
One-foot High Kick -- Considered one of the premier events of WEIO, the high kick requires the athlete to jump off the floor using both feet, kick a suspended object with one foot, and land on the floor using that same foot. This demonstrates and agility to the floor officials. Distances the height of a basketball net are not uncommon. Traditionally, when a messenger from a hunting or whaling crew is within visual distance of villagers, he will kick high into the air thereby giving a message that a whale has been shot or caribou are running near.
Media Contacts:
Shelly Wozniak
Public Relations Manager
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
swozinak@anchorage.net
(907) 257-2331 direct
(907) 250-5285 cell
(907) 222-3752 fax
Nance Larsen, APR
Vice President, Communications & Marketing Programs
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
pr@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
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