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Kahtnuht’ana Dena’ina

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Loud and fun

January 13, 2017

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.

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.

Filed Under: Stories

Kenaitze Indian Tribe

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Kenaitze Tribal Court • (907) 335-7219

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Heidi King, NCAC II, CDCS

Recovery Support Manager/Counselor
Heidi has eight years of experience in the chemical dependency field. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Women’s Studies, from the University of Alaska. She is a nationally accredited Chemical Dependency Clinician, and a state accredited Chemical Dependency Clinical Supervisor.

Heidi has a background in providing residential chemical dependency counseling. She is certified as a Conflict Resolution and Relapse Prevention Trainer with the National Association of Addiction Counselors. She is also a certified Peer Supports Trainer and Supervisor through the Alaska Commission of Behavioral Health Certification.

When she’s not serving un’ina, Heidi teaches yoga as a certified and registered instructor. She also enjoys hiking, fishing, and spending time with her child, spouse, and numerous pets, camping all over Alaska.

Heidi provides chemical dependency counseling services in group settings and individual sessions.

Heidi can personally relate to chemical dependency and is passionate about helping those seeking recovery supports. For Heidi, healing is community, and community is an important part of connection with one’s self. She sees the positive ripple effect that healing can provide throughout the community.

Fridrik Rafn Gudmundsson, MSW, LCSW

Recovery Support Manager
Fridrik has earned his master’s degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He studied massage therapy in Iceland, and became fascinated with the mind-body connection. He completed his undergraduate degree in philosophy with a psychology minor.

Fridrik has had the opportunity to live in four countries and to travel to many others. He counts finding and marrying the love of his life and adopting his son among his greatest accomplishments. He is grateful to be able to live in this beautiful and sacred part of the world and to serve the Tribe and un’ina, “those who come to us.”

When he’s not serving un’ina, Fridrik loves spending time with his family, hiking, kayaking, camping, fishing, traveling, and having fun. He enjoys learning, listening to music, and taking time for spiritual practice.

Fridrik provides assessments and individual, family and group psychotherapy at Chuq’eya Qenq’a, Birch Tree House.

For Fridrik, coming to the Kenaitze Indian Tribe felt like coming home. The more he learned about the Tribe and its history, as well as the history of the Alaska Native people, the more he knew he had found a place to be of service.

Teresa A. Ford, MSW, LMSW

Behavioral Health Clinician
Teresa earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Limestone University in South Carolina, and her master’s degree in Social Work from Campbellsville University in Kentucky. Teresa’s experience includes serving homeless and other disadvantaged populations, as well as work in outpatient rehabilitation, hospice, chemical dependency, adult and adolescent counseling, and prevention.

Teresa appreciates the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s traditional values. She sees them as a driving force in how we treat ourselves and others, and how we serve those in need of help.

When not serving un’ina, “those who come to us,” Teresa spends her time bonding with her family, creating and traveling. She also enjoys learning about Alaska Native culture, exploring new hobbies, and gardening.

Teresa provides individual, family, and group therapy services. Teresa takes a variety of approaches to therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.

Teresa has always been a helper at heart. Being able to overcome the things she experienced growing up in South Carolina empowered and inspired her to help others navigate through their life journeys.