Citius, altius, fortius

The traditional Olympic motto of "faster, higher, stronger" holds true

for the competitors in the

Native Youth Olympics

By CASEY RESSLER-Valley Life editor

The state of Alaska has always tried to maintain its cultural identity as it grows, and the Native Youth Olympics is one way for that cultural identity to be taught to the youngest members of society.

Since 1971, young Alaskans have been participating in the Native Youth Olympics, a series of events that test physical strength, stamina, power, balance, concentration and agility of the contestants.

On March 27, the Alaska Job Corps center hosted its first Native Youth Olympics event, with teams participating from the Alaska Job Corps Center, the Kenaitze Indian tribe, the Chickaloon tribe and the Qutekcak tribe from Seward. It is a precursor to the large state competition, which is scheduled for April 22-24 in Anchorage. At the state competition, more than 400 students battle for top honors.

Sarah Hanuske, a coordinator for the Boarding Home Program in Anchorage, began the event in 1971, for the students at the home. That year, NYO had only 12 schools -- now, it is open to students statewide, regardless of ethnic origin. Hundreds of students around the state participate in local and state competitions each year. While some schools compete only in the state competition, others get the opportunity to compete throughout the year in competitions such as the one Job Corps hosted.

According to the Alaska Native Knowledge Network, "the Native Youth Olympics are for participants to gain confidence and improve self-esteem."

The events are unlike Olympic competitions you see on television, however. They include the stick pull, the scissor broad jump, the wrist carry, the one-hand reach, the arm pull, the kneel jump, the Alaskan high kick and the seal hop.

The events were developed around skills that are required in traditional Native actions -- the wrist pull has its origins in Native hunters having to carry heavy game back to a village; the stick pull was developed as a test for hunters trying to pull a seal out of the water; and the scissor broad jump imitates seal hunters trying to jump from ice floe to ice floe without losing their balance.