World Eskimo Indian Olympics

The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (or WEIO) is an annual event held over a four-day period in July or August, designed to preserve cultural practices and traditional (survival skills) essential to life in circumpolar areas of the world. The WEIO features games rooted in ancestral hunting and survival techniques employed by Native Americans, as well as dance storytelling competitions, and an annual cultural pageant, that focuses on cultural knowledge.

History

In 1961, the WEIO (formerly World Eskimo Olympics), held its inaugural event held on the banks of the Chena River, Fairbanks, Alaska,[1] as part of the Golden Days celebration festivities. The event was sponsored by the City of Fairbanks, through the city's Chamber of Commerce.

Sponsorship

In 1970, sponsorship of the event was transferred to Tundra Times (a statewide newspaper in Alaska), and several revisions were made. This includes the name change — which inserted "Indian" to better reflect the ethnicity of the participants — and the introduction of events for women. The first decade of the events featured male-only participants; eventually, the number of events which women competed increased.[2] Women now participate in some of the more arduous events, including ear pulls and high kicks.

Six years later, the WEIO reorganized as a 501(c) non-profit organization, which took over sponsorship from the newspaper, and has been responsible for plans, preparations, and stagings related to the event.

Relocation

After four and a half decades of hosting the WEIO in Fairbanks, the games were relocated to Anchorage, Alaska in 2007 following a successful bid[3] to host the event. WEIO board members were concerned that Fairbanks officials were becoming complacent,[4] and elected to examine other venues.

The general assembly voted to have the games held at the new location earlier that spring.[5]

Venue

YearHost Location Venue
1961-2006 and 2008-present Fairbanks, Alaska Banks along Chena River (1961-1967?), Big Dipper Ice Arena (1968-2006) and Carlson Center (since 2008)
2007 Anchorage, Alaska Sullivan Arena

Events

Events played at the WEIO are either traditional everyday tasks or unique to Eskimo or northern native culture:[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ World Eskimo-Indian Olympics — a History
  2. ↑ Malchoff on Top of the World at the 2005 World Eskimo-Indian Olympics
  3. ↑ Eskimo games to add $1 million to Anchorage's economy
  4. ↑ World Eskimo-Indian Olympics to relocate
  5. ↑ Eskimo Olympics come to Anchorage
  6. ↑ http://www.weio.org/the_games.php

External links

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