Native Youth Olympics: Alaska’s Indigenous teens emulate ancestors’ Arctic survival skills
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The athletes filling a huge gym in Anchorage were ready to compete, cheering and stomping and high-fiving each other as they lined up for the chance to claim the state’s top prize in their events.
But these teenagers were at the Native Youth Olympics, a statewide competition that attracts hundreds of Alaska Native athletes each year and pays tribute to the skills and techniques used by their ancestors to survive in the harsh polar climate.
Events at the competition that wraps up Saturday include a stick pull, meant to mimic holding onto a slippery seal as it fights to return to the water, and a modified, four-step broad jump that approximates leaping across ice floes on the frozen ocean.
For generations, Alaska Natives played these games to develop the skills they needed to become successful hunters — and survive — in an unforgiving climate.
Related articles
Rangers are undefeated at .500 to keep World Series champs from a losing record with Bochy
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — The reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers are undefeated this season2024-05-21Georgia Harrison puts on a sizzling display in a skimpy cheetah
Georgia Harrison put on a sizzling display in a cheetah-print bikini as she took to Instagram on Thu2024-05-21Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looks pristine in a one
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands wowed in a statement one-shoulder jumpsuit on Thursday evening as sh2024-05-21Chiefs rookie Xavier Worthy's car stolen in Kansas City by 'professional group of criminals'
Xavier Worthy's car was stolen from his apartment in Kansas City earlier this week, according to rep2024-05-21Burglar hurled stolen mobile phones at police from the top of 60ft high roof during nine
A burglar hurled stolen mobile phones at police officers from the top of a roof during a nine-hour s2024-05-21The unofficial spokesman for the American muscle car, Tim Kuniskis, is retiring
DETROIT (AP) — Tim Kuniskis, CEO of the Ram and Dodge brands and the unofficial voice of American mu2024-05-21
atest comment