^{This past weekend 12 members of the Qutekcak Junior and Senior Native Youth Olympic teams traveled to Kenai to compete in the Peninsula Winter Games. There were twelve teams from the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, and the Mat-Su Valley in 1st grade thru 12th grade that came together.}

^{Our team had the honor of earning 16 awards in the 12 events that they competed in. Many of our youth had never played these games let alone compete in a Regional event.}

^{The first NYO Games Alaska, held in the winter of 1971, were conceived and organized by students attending the Boarding Home Program School in Anchorage, Alaska. In the first year of competition, twelve schools participated with student athletes traveling from Sitka and Nome. Since then, the number of athletes and enthusiasm surrounding the games has increased as the NYO Games Alaska received state and national recognition.}

^{In order to test and prove these crucial abilities that governed everyday life, our ancestors developed traditional games in which they could compete against each other and hone their ability to hunt and fish for survival in the traditional way of life. The creators of NYO wanted an opportunity to demonstrate their favorite Native games in the hopes that the people of Alaska would not forget the traditional contests of their forefathers.}

^{When our ancestors had successful hunting or fishing trips they would return to the village and share how and where they were successful. Survival depended on our ancestors helping each other. Today, athletes competing in NYO Games carry on that tradition of passing on their knowledge to one another. Native Games are the only sporting events in the world where athletes from different teams help each other to be successful in the games and in life.}

5 Responses to “January 29th thru 31st – Qutekcak JNYO and NYO Earn 16 Awards”

1. Greg Carpenter
   February 8th, 2010 @ 9:49 am

   Are the teams open to all cultures? I was under the impression that the team members had to be native.

2. Danielle
   February 10th, 2010 @ 10:33 am

   The teams are open to all cultures. Just as most events that Qutekcak Native Tribe sponsors the public is welcome to attend and participate.

3. Trish
   February 11th, 2010 @ 3:24 pm

   NYO is fantastic. The kids are very dedicated and practice a lot. Kudo’s to them all and also to Melenee for the great coaching!

4. Greg Carpenter
   February 12th, 2010 @ 8:56 am

   Thank you for enlightening me. What a great opportunity for our kids to expand their horizons!

5. Melanee
   February 13th, 2010 @ 12:18 am

   Thanks Trish….yes the Native Youth Olympics are open to everybody in grades 1 thru 12. The youth do not have to to be Alaska Native to participate. Come and cheer on the Junior Team Feb 19th thru 21st at Begich Middle school in Anchorage!