Native Youth Olympics planned Jan. 20 to 22 in Kenai
Julianna Wilson works to a win in the one-foot high kick event at the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational at Kenai Middle School in January 2016.
The 2017 Native Youth Olympics Invitational is scheduled for Jan. 20 to 22 at Mountain View Elementary School in Kenai. The tribe’s Yaghanen Youth Program will host the event as part of the annual Peninsula Winter Games.
The NYO competition features traditional events such as the seal hop, kneel jump and one-foot high kick, among others. Sportsmanship is valued over results as teams from across Alaska compete in junior and senior divisions.
Last year’s NYO was held at Kenai Middle School, a larger venue, so fans will be closer to the action this year. Top-finishing athletes will receive medals, and sportsmanship awards will be given to individuals as well as one team.
“The atmosphere will be as exciting as ever,” said Michael Bernard, Yaghanen program administrator. “It will be loud and fun and we’ll have some of our state’s greatest athletes competing – and we’re looking forward to getting community support for our local athletes.”
In addition to the competition at Mountain View, Alaska Native tribal funk band Pamyua will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at Soldotna High School. The show is a fundraiser for Yaghanen. Nicole Johnston, who was recently inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame, is the keynote speaker before the concert. Tickets are $10.
For more information or to purchase concert tickets in advance, please contact the Yaghanen office at 907-335-7290. Tickets will also be available at the door.
2017 Native Youth Olympics Invitational
Schedule of events
Friday, Jan. 20
5 p.m. – coaches meeting
5:30 p.m. – opening ceremony
6 p.m. – scissor broad jump
7:30 p.m. – Alaskan high kick
Saturday, Jan. 21
8 a.m. – coaches meeting
8:30 a.m. – two-foot high kick
9:30 a.m. – arm pull and one-hand reach
11:30 a.m. – Lunch
12:30 p.m. – kneel jump
1:30 p.m. – Eskimo stick pull
3 p.m. – one-foot high kick
5:30 p.m. – potluck dinner (open only to those affiliated with the competition, and their families)
7:30 p.m. – Pamyua concert at Soldotna High School
Sunday, Jan. 22
9 a.m. – coaches meeting
9:30 a.m. – wrist carry
10:30 a.m. – Indian stick pull
Noon – lunch
1 p.m. – seal hop
3 p.m. – closing ceremony
*All events at Mountain View Elementary School unless otherwise noted.
