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Top-notch competition – and sportsmanship

February 2, 2017

Native Youth Olympics Invitational celebrates five years as part of the Peninsula Winter Games

Kenaitze's Joseph Whittom competes Saturday morning in the arm pull event at the tribe's Native Youth Olympics Invitational held at Mountain View Elementary School in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games.

Kenaitze’s Joseph Whittom competes Saturday morning in the arm pull event at the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational held at Mountain View Elementary School in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games.

When he was called to the stage during an awards ceremony at the 2017 Native Youth Olympics Invitational, Joseph Whittom didn’t believe his ears.

“When they called my name, I was super surprised. I was like, wait, did they say that right? I was amazed,” Whittom recalled. “When I went up there, I wasn’t smiling at first and my mom looked at me and was like, ‘smile,’ and then I was OK.”

Whittom, 12, earned the Male Sportsmanship Award at the fifth-annual NYO invitational, which the tribe hosted in January as part of the 2017 Peninsula Winter Games. Allie Toloff of the Qutekcak team earned the Female Sportsmanship Award, while Chickaloon won the Team Sportsmanship Award. Coaches and officials vote on the awards.

Kenaitze's Emilee Wilson competes Saturday morning in the two-foot high kick event at the tribe's Native Youth Olympics Invitational held at Mountain View Elementary School in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games.

Kenaitze’s Emilee Wilson competes Saturday morning in the two-foot high kick event at the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational held at Mountain View Elementary School in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games.

The invite, spanning three days, featured competitive events such as the one-foot high kick, arm pull, seal hop and stick pull as about 150 youth athletes competed in junior and senior divisions. Teams from across the Kenai Peninsula and beyond competed.

Although records fell and the competition was stiff, those who participated agreed being a good sport was more important than winning and losing.

“It’s all about sportsmanship and beating your own personal best,” Whittom said. “Everybody helps out everybody.”

Kenaitze's Gideon Collover is all business as he competes in the Eskimo stick pull event Saturday the tribe's Native Youth Olympics Invitational at Mountain View Elementary School. Events continue Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Kenaitze’s Gideon Collover is all business as he competes in the Eskimo stick pull event Saturday the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational at Mountain View Elementary School. Events continue Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Whittom, a sixth-grader at K-Beach Elementary School, began participating in NYO about three years ago.

His favorite events include the one-foot high kick, Eskimo stick pull, Indian stick pull, arm pull and Alaskan high kick. Competing in the junior boys division, Whittom placed first in the Alaskan high kick, arm pull, Eskimo stick pull and seal hop.

But throughout the competition, his priority was supporting fellow competitors.

“I was encouraging other kids to beat their personal bests and giving them some tips on what to do,” Whittom said.

Judah Eason, 14, competed in the senior division for the Ninilchik team and has participated in NYO for six or seven years.

Like Whittom, Eason also posted impressive results, placing first in the one-foot high kick, Alaskan high kick, Eskimo stick pull and scissor broad jump.

Chickaloon's Misty May Agoff competes Saturday morning in the one-hand reach event at the tribe's Native Youth Olympics Invitational held at Mountain View Elementary School in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games. Competitors have to balance on one hand, reach up and touch the bag, then return to balance.

Chickaloon’s Misty May Agoff competes Saturday morning in the one-hand reach event at the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational held at Mountain View Elementary School in conjunction with the Peninsula Winter Games. Competitors have to balance on one hand, reach up and touch the bag, then return to balance.

But he, too, relished the support and camaraderie among athletes as much as winning.

“These events are awesome, the cultural aspects, the social aspects – everyone coming together,” Eason said. “I think it’s great that there is a sport where everyone helps each other.”

Tanner Fry, 15, participated for the first time as a member of the Chickaloon team.

Fry, who learned of NYO through his brother, had about a month of practice before his debut.

He admitted he wasn’t sure what to expect as a first-time participant, but walked away with a positive experience and plans to participate again. The Eskimo stick pull and Alaskan high kick were the events he most enjoyed.

“Amazing,” Fry said of the experience. “Great support from everybody.”

Kenaitze's William Wilson competes to a win in the boys junior division of the one-foot high kick event Saturday during the tribe's Native Youth Olympics Invitational at Mountain View Elementary School. Events continue Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Kenaitze’s William Wilson competes to a win in the boys junior division of the one-foot high kick event Saturday during the tribe’s Native Youth Olympics Invitational at Mountain View Elementary School. Events continue Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

Julianne Wilson receives a congratulatory hug on the medalist podium Saturday.

Julianne Wilson receives a congratulatory hug on the medalist podium Saturday.

Yaghanen program administrator Michael Bernard, who has helped coordinate the event the past five years, said more athletes competed this year than ever before.

Because the event was open to the public, a few new people also expressed interest in joining Yaghanen.

“The event went really well,” Bernard said, adding that it was rewarding to see a Kenaitze athlete earn a sportsmanship award. “It’s one of the top three awards that those kids could walk away with.”


Chiqinik, thank you

The tribe extends a warm chiqinik, thank you, to those who supported the 2017 Native Youth Olympics Invitational: Alaska USA Federal Credit Union; Soldotna Chamber of Commerce; Kenai Peninsula Native Youth Leaders; Mountain View Elementary School; Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Title VI Indian Education Program; Tyotkas Elder Center; Kenaitze’s safety and security department; and tribal volunteers and staff.


2017 Native Youth Olympics

Jan. 20 to 22

Kenai Middle School

One-foot high kick

Junior girls

1. Emilee Wilson, Kenaitze, 66 inches; 2. Lydia Alverts, Chickaloon, 64 inches; 3. Robin Cronin, Seward, 60 inches; 4. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 60 inches; 5. Morgan Lemm, Kenaitze, 52 inches.

Junior boys

1. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 75 inches; 2. Ceiony Allen, Ninilchik, 68 inches; 3. Cooper Bernard, Kenaitze, 64 inches; 4. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 64 inches; 5. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 64 inches.

Senior girls

1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 86 inches; 2. Chelsea Plagge, Kenaitze, 76 inches; 3. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 78 inches; 4. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon, 71 inches; 5. Allie Toloff, Seward, 70 inches.

Senior boys

1. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 100 inches; 2. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 98 inches; 3. Nathan Shanigan, Wasilla, 94 inches; 4. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 89 inches; 5. Tony Riley Ninilchik, 88 inches.

One-hand reach

Senior girls

1. Sam Derr, Wasilla, 54 inches; 2. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 48 inches; 3. Misty May Aganoff, Chickaloon, 43 inches; 4. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 42 inches.

Senior boys

1. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 60 inches; 2. Ray Lamont, Wasilla, 56 inches; 3. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 50 inches; 4. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 50 inches; 5. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 46 inches.

Two-foot high kick

Junior girls

1. Emilee Wilson, Kenaitze, 48 inches (1 miss); 2. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 48 inches (6 misses); 3. Morgan Lemm, Kenaitze, 40 inches; 4. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 36 inches (1 miss); 5. Robin Cronin, Seward, 36 inches (4 misses).

Junior boys

1. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 56 inches; 2. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 52 inches; 3. Ceiony Allen, Ninilchik, 50 inches; 4. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 46 inches; 5. Tre McGovern, Knik Elementary, 42 inches.

Senior girls

1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 73 inches; 2. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 57 inches (1 miss); 3. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon, 57 inches (2 misses); 4. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 50 inches; 5. Auna Reed-Lewis, Chickaloon, 48 inches.

Senior boys

1. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 83 inches; 2. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 80 inches; 3. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 78 inches; 4. Tony Riley, Ninilchik, 70 inches; Ray Lamont, Wasilla, 66 inches.

Alaskan high kick

Junior girls

1. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 58 inches; 2. Emiliee Wilson, Kenaitze, 44 inches; 3. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 44 inches; 4. Robin Cronin, Seward, 44 inches; 5. Angel Anderson, Kenaitze, 44 inches.

Junior boys

1. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 52 inches; 2. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 50 inches; 3. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake, 48 inches; 4. Porter Rockwell, Seward, 43 inches; 5. Eli Matheson, Seward, 42 inches.

Senior girls

1. Mistly May Agoff, Chickaloon, 68 inches; 2. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 60 inches; 3. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 60 inches; 4. Allie Toloff, Seward, 56 inches; 5. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 52 inches.

Senior boys

1. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 84 inches; 2. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 76 inches; 3. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 75 inches; Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 74 inches; 5. Tony Riley, Ninilchik, 70 inches.

Arm pull

Junior girls

1. Chloe Lastimosa, Seward; 2.Shanae Harrison, Chickaloon; 3. Leila Kell, Chickaloon; 4. Robin Cronin, Seward; 5. Cherish Polteiger, Chickaloon.

Junior boys

1. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze 2. William Wilson, Kenaitze; 3. Ceiony Allen, Ninilchik; 4. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai; 5. Eli Matheson, Seward.

Eskimo stick pull

Junior girls

1. Chloe Lastimosa, Seward; 2. Shanae Harrison, Chickaloon; 3. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik; 4. Morgan Lemm, Kenaitze; 5. Jayna Ekelmann, Chickaloon.

Junior boys

1. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze; 2. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai; 3. Eli Matheson, Seward; 4. Cooper Bernard, Kenaitze; 5. Tiernan McGovern, Knik Elementary.

Senior girls

1. Mahogoni Harrison, Chickaloon; 2. Renee Varney, Central KPNYL; 3. Sam Derr, Wasilla; 4. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze; 5. Jade Robuck, Ninilchik.

Senior boys

1. Judah Eason, Ninilchik; 2. Tony Riley, Ninilchik; 3. Nick Valenza, Seward; 4. Gideon Collver; 5. Charlie Mack, Seward.

Indian stick pull

Junior girls

1. Shelby Strange, Chugiak; 2. Jenna Yeoman, Kenaitze; 3. Emilee Wilson, Kenaitze; 4. Morgan Lemm, Kenaitze; 5. Megan Whittom, Kenaitze.

Junior boys

1. Cooper Bernard, Kenaitze, 2. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze; 3. Ceioney Allen, Ninilchik; 4. Ethan Archuletta, Chickaloon; 5. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake.

Senior girls

1. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon; 2. Auna Reed-Lewis, Chickaloon; 3. Sam Derr, Wasilla; 4. Savanna Wilson, Kenaitze; 5. Hanna Wilson, Kenaitze.

Senior boys

1. Nicolas Valenza, Seward; 2. Charlie Mack, Seward 3. Nathan Shanigan, Wasilla; 4. Samiel Wilson, Kenaitze; 5. Andrew Wilson, Kenaitze.

Kneel jump

Junior girls

1. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 24 inches; 2. Jenna Yeoman, Kenaitze, 23 ½ inches; 3. Kailey Dixon, Larson Elementary, 20 inches; 4. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 17 ¼ inches; 5. Jalyn Yeoman, Kenaitze, 17 ¼ inches.

Junior boys

1. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 25 ¼ inches; 2. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 21 ¼ inches; 3. True McGovern, Knik Elementary, 18 ¾ inches; 4. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 17 ½ inches; 5. Porter Rockwell, Seward, 17 ¼ inches.

Senior girls

1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 44 ¾ inches; 2. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon, 31 ¼ inches; 3. Tierra McGovern, Redington Junior/Senior High, 28 inches; 4. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 28 inches; 5. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 28 inches.

Senior boys

1. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 48 inches; 2.Tony Riley, Ninilchik, 48 inches; 3. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 45 ½ inches; 4. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 41 inches; 5. Tommy Cronin, Seward, 33 ¼ inches.

Scissor Broad Jump

Junior girls

1. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 19 feet, 3 ¼ inches; 2. Lydia Alverts, Chickaloon, 18 feet, 11 inches; 3. Kylie Rickard, Ninilchik, 18 feet, 8 inches; 4. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 18 feet, 7 ¾ inches; 5. Robin Cronin, Seward, 18 feet, ¼ inch.

Junior boys

1. Ceiony Allen, Ninilchik, 20 feet, 6 inches; 2. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake, 19 feet, 9 inches; 3. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 19 feet, 4 ½ inches; 4. Isiah Kroto, Chickaloon, 18 feet, 5 ½ inches; 5. Rylan Krege, Ninilchik, 17 feet, 11 inches.

Senior girls

1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 26 feet, 9 ½ inches; 2. Allie Toloff, Seward, 23 feet, 3 ½ inches; 3. Tierra McGovern, Redington Junior/Senior High, 22 feet, ½ inch; 4. Auna Reed-Lewis, Chickaloon, 21 feet, 10 ¼ inches; 5. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 21 feet, 5 inches.

Senior boys

1. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 34 feet, 3 ½ inches; 2. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 30 feet 8 ¼ inches; 3. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 29 feet, 3 inches; 4. Nathan Shanigan, Wasila, 28 feet, 11 ½ inches; 5. Tony Riley, Ninilchik, 28 feet, 8 ½ inches.

Seal hop

Junior girls

1. Leila Kell, Chickaloon, 68 feet, 9 ¾ inches; 2. Kailey Dixon, Larson Elementary, 61 feet, 6 inches; 3. Emilee Wilson, Kenaitze, 50 feet, 6 ½ inches; 4. Alexa Richard, Ninilchik, 49 feet, 4 inches; 5. Angel Anderson, Kenaitze, 40 feet.

Junior boys

1. Joe Whittom, Kenaitze, 49 feet, 5 inches; 2. Cooper Bernard, Kenaitze, 48 feet, 8 ½ inches; 3. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake, 46 feet, 5 inches; 4. Timothy Hedrick, Kenaitze, 45 feet, 10 inches; 5. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 13 feet, 5 ½ inches.

Senior girls

1. Julianne Wilson, Kenaitze, 106 feet, 3 ¾ inches; 2. Kya Ahlers, Kenaitze, 74 feet, 3 ½ inches; 3. Sam Derr, Wasilla, 72 feet, 11 ½ inches; 4. Kayla Lopez, Wasilla, 67 feet, 1 inch; 5. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 66 feet, 6 inches.

Senior boys

1. Steven Riley, Ninilchik, 59 feet, 1 inch; 2. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 54 feet, 7 inches; 3. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 44 feet, 11 inches; 4. Jake Smith, Wasilla, 44 feet, 3 inches; 5. Gideon Collver, Kenaitze, 33 feet, 1 ½ inch. 

Wrist carry

Junior girls (in seconds)

1. Mylee Barnette, Kenaitze, 26.98; 2. Jayln Yeoman, Kenaitze, 22.89; 3. Kiana Kroto, Chickaloon, 16.57 seconds; 4. Iris Hale, Kenaitze, 12.36; 5. Jenna Yeoman, 10.97.

Junior boys (in seconds)

1. William Wilson, Kenaitze, 18.35; 2. Seth Strange, Mirror Lake, 13.75; 3. Elliot White, Ninilchik, 10.10; 4. Kaison Herrmann, Kenai, 8.33; 5. True McGovern, Knik Elementary, 7.28.

Senior girls

1. Savanna Wilson, Kenaitze, 55 feet, 3 inches; 2. Misty May Agoff, Chickaloon, 29 feet; 3. Auna Reed-Lewis, Chickaloon, 14 feet, 8 inches; 4. Trillium Kell, Chickaloon, 11 feet, 2 inches; 5. Hanna Wilson, Kenaitze, 5 feet.

Senior boys

1. Ray Lamont, Wasilla, 375 feet, 5 inches; 2. Luke Riley, Ninilchik, 304 feet; 3. Judah Eason, Ninilchik, 238 feet, 4 ½ inches; 4. Brennan Slats, Central KPNYL, 115 feet, 8 inches; 5. Andrew Wilson, Kenaitze, 107 feet, 1 inch.

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Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Locations

Kenaitze Administration • (907) 335-7200
Dena'ina Wellness Center • (907) 335-7500
Early Childhood Center • (907) 335-7260
Yaghanen Youth Programs • (907) 335-7290
Tyotkas Elder Services • (907) 335-7280
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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.