Sun’aq Tribe is proud to be the main sponsor of the Kodiak Native Youth Olympics Team. The 35 young adults who participate in these traditional Native games come from Kodiak and the surrounding villages. They compete against one another and against Native athletes from throughout Alaska at the Native Youth Olympics held each year in Anchorage.

Celebrating Our Heritage

Started in 1972, the Native Youth Olympics celebrate our ancestors’ tradition of using contests to develop the skills, endurance, agility, and mind/body balance that they depended on for survival. Today’s games help participants develop honor, respect, sharing, discipline and inner strength. They also promote a sense of community among the parents, friends, and neighbors who attend to cheer on the athletes!

Awards & Recognition

Team members range in age from 12 to 20. They practice twice weekly from September through May in preparation for the state-wide competition. Winners in each activity receive gifts of recognition from tribal elders, judges, and team coaches. The winning team is chosen by a vote of the judges and all participating teams. The Kodiak Team received the Team Sportsmanship award in Anchorage for 11 years.

Games

One-foot high kick: The contestant leaves the floor with both feet at the same time and kicks the ball with one foot, landing on the kicking foot.

Two-foot high kick: The contestant leaves the floor with both feet at the same time and kicks the ball, landing on both feet.

Alaskan high kick: The contestant balances on one foot and the opposing hand while reaching across the torso to hold the other foot. He thrusts the balancing foot upward to kick the ball.

One-hand reach: Balancing on one hand, the contestant reaches up with the other hand to touch the ball.

Wrist carry: The contestant hooks a wrist around the middle of the stick and grips the forearm with the other hand while being carried.

Seal hop: The contestant hops across the floor on hands and toes.

Kneel jump: Kneeling on the floor with feet and toes flat, the contestant leaps forward.

Scissor broad jump: Starting with both feet together, the contestant takes three running steps and jumps forward to land on both feet.

Stick pull: Contestants face each other in pairs with the soles of their feet touching and try to pull one another steadily forward and off the floor.