News Release

Native Youth Olympics sure to impress visitors to Anchorage

Anchorage, Alaska – April 3, 2009 – In the spirit of their ancestors, nearly 400 youth from around the Alaska will gather in Anchorage to demonstrate their skills in traditional Native games at the Native Youth Olympics (NYO), April 23 - 25, 2009.

The first NYO was organized in 1971, as a way to ensure that Alaskans would not forget the many traditional contests of their forefathers. The games not only provide insight into Alaska’s rich cultural heritage, they also help promote a healthy lifestyle among today’s young people by helping to increase strength, endurance, agility, and the balance of mind and body. During the last 34 years, the games have grown in size and popularity - from 12 to more than 69 participating schools. 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.

The Eskimo Stick Pull is a game of strength. Successful hunters must be able to pull a seal out of the water. This is not easy task while maintain balance on snow and ice. Hand, back and leg strength are essential.

The Seal Hop is 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.

The Alaskan High Kick is a test of both the mind and body working together to maintain control.

The Wrist Carry is atest 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 is 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 Knee Jump is a game to develop the skill of quick movement to be successful in jumping from one ice floe to another, it also develops leg muscles necessary to lift heavy game and carry it back to the village

Other must-see attractions for visitors interested in learning about Native culture include the Alaska Native Heritage Center and Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center. The Alaska Native Heritage Center offers a chance to learn about all of Alaska’s Native cultures through Native dance, song, storytelling performances and arts all in one facility. The facility includes a Welcome House, five traditional village settings, a two-acre lake and walking trails. More information can be found at www.alaskanative.net.

The Anchorage Museum, currently undergoing a major expansion, features permanent displays of Alaska’s cultural heritage including information on early contact with Russians and New England whalers, the Gold Rush era and for a present day reflection of Alaska’s indigenous people. The expansion will include an outrageous traveling exhibit called Gold that will dazzle summer visitors with more than 300 gold objects, set to open May 30, 2009. For more information about the Museum, visit www.anchoragemuseum.org.

NYO is hosted by Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc., the nonprofit, social service agency for Cook Inlet Region, Inc., with a mission to provide culturally appropriate services for Native people to achieve self-determination through individual, family and community development.

The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (ACVB) mission is to attract and serve visitors to the Municipality of Anchorage as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO). ACVB’s marketing functions are funded by one-third of the bed tax collected by lodging associations. One-third goes to the Municipality’s general fund, a contribution established in 1978, and one-third to service the bond debt and operations of the Anchorage Convention Centers. ACVB receives no state or federal funds. Explore www.Anchorage.net for more information.

Media Contacts:

Jeanette Anderson Moores
Public Relations
Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau
jmoores@anchorage.net
(907) 276-4118
Explore www.Anchorage.net

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