Native Youth Olympics set to return for 40th year – Alaska's News Source

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The Native Youth Olympics (NYO) is set to kick off on Thursday, April 14, marking the 40th year the event has been held.
Over 100 communities from across the state will be represented at the games.
“It brings in almost 400 athletes from literally every corner of the state where they come together and they compete in native games,” said Kelly Hurd, director of development for the Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC).
“It is an amazing celebration of diversity, of culture, of friendship, and amazing athleticism.”
The NYO features 12 games which reflect skills developed by Native communities across the state. Some of the events include stick pull, high kick, toe kick, and wrist carry.
“For many kids, this is the highlight of the year,” Hurd said.
“This is something that they’ve been practicing in, competing and getting stronger and honing their skills over the course of for the entire last year, so it’s a really big thing for our students and it’s a really big thing for our state as well.”
While athletes will be competing for first place, Hurd said the focus of the games is on community rather than winning.
“It’s culture and it’s also character,” she said.
“Sportsmanship is a really big thing in the event. Kids actually get rewarded and acknowledged for how they conduct themselves during the games.”
According to Hurd, this year’s games take on an extra importance, as it will be the first NYO since Typhoon Halong devastated many communities across Western Alaska.
“Some of those kids are still here in Anchorage,” she said.
“Some have returned home, but some are still here and they are maybe integrated into local schools, so it will be an opportunity for them to have a reunion for family members that may be out in the affected areas that are coming into Anchorage.”
The NYO is set to kick off with an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. on April 16. It will end with an award ceremony on April 18.
Hurd said admission is free to the public and encouraged sports fans from across the state to come and support the event.
More information on the NYO, and how to support the program, can be found on CITC’s website.
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