Ninth annual Traditional Games to kick off this weekend in Juneau

The ninth annual Traditional Games will begin this Friday in Juneau, where athletes from all over the world will test their strength while celebrating Native culture.

Around 200 middle school, high school, college and adult athletes from more than 30 communities will compete in 12 events based on ancient Indigenous hunting and survival skills.

The games will feature visiting teams from New Zealand, Mexico, the Lower 48, Canada and communities across Alaska, including Hydaburg, Klukwan, Angoon, Hoonah, Ulguniq and more. Students will represent teams from schools in the University of Alaska system, as well as Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado; Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire and the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Athletes who relocated to Anchorage when the remnants of Typhoon Halong devasted communities in October 2025 will also be in attendance. SHI staff will prepare traditional subsistence foods like deer, moose and goat for folks who had to leave their villages.

Juneau teams from the Tlingit Culture, Language and Literacy Program, The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS,) Thunder Mountain Middle School, Faith Community Christian School, Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School and Yaada.at Kalé (Juneau-Douglas High School) will also compete.

The games are rooted in Indigenous survival and hunting tactics. Each celebrates the skills that have allowed Native peoples to thrive in challenging environments for thousands of years. Events like the One-Foot-High Kick and Wrist Carry are reminiscent of Native hunting practices, as the feats were traditionally used to signal successful hunts and honor the life of a taken animal. Games such as the Kneel Jump and Dené Stick Pull pay tribute to ancient forms of calisthenics.

Competitors will participate in the games throughout the weekend, and a college and career fair will begin Saturday and continue through Sunday. Attendees are welcome to visit an art market featuring handmade work by six Indigenous artists on Saturday and Sunday as well. The full schedule of events is available online.

“Every athlete is celebrated regardless of athletic ability,” said Kyle Kaayák’w Worl, Wellness Administrator for the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. “As long as each participant is reaching for their personal best, everybody will celebrate them. Success is measured on self-improvement – not by the ‘winner takes all’ mentality that a lot of other sports have. Everyone’s success is tied to each other’s.”

The free event is scheduled from 10 am-9:15 pm on Friday, April 10; 11 am-6 pm on Saturday, April 11; and 11 am-5:30 pm on Sunday, April 6 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Event organizers are looking for volunteers. To volunteer, contact Coach Kyle Worl at kworl@tlingitandhaida.gov or 907.227.4998.

The games will be livestreamed from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Saturday, April 11, and from 11 am to 3:30 pm, Sunday, April 12, on Sealaska Heritage Institute’s YouTube channel which will also be accessible through the Traditional Games website. Spectators are also welcome to attend in person at Juneau-Douglas Yadaa.at Kalé High School at 1639 Glacier Ave. in Juneau.

Athletes who have questions should contact Coach Kyle Worl at kworl@tlingitandhaida.gov or 907.227.4998.

Sponsors and Partners

The Traditional Games and Juneau’s NYO teams are a community collaboration made possible by the following major sponsors:

• One-Foot High Kick Level
• Sealaska Heritage Institute
• Central Council Tlingit & Haida
• Sealaska

• Two-Foot High Kick Level
• Select Physical Therapy
• University of Alaska Southeast

• Alaskan High Kick Level
• Coffman Engineer

• One Hand Reach Level
• Trickster Company
• Pat Tynan & Rick Harris
• Toni Mallott

• Partners
• Juneau School District
• Zach Gordon Youth Services
• UAS Wooch.Een
• Goldbelt Heritage Foundation

Sealaska Heritage Institute is a tribal organization founded in 1980 to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. SHI also conducts scientific and public policy research that promotes Alaska Native arts, cultures, history and education statewide. The institute is governed by a Board of Trustees and guided by a Council of Traditional Scholars, a Native Artist Committee and a Southeast Regional Language Committee.

CONTACT: Kathy Dye, Deputy Director of Publications and Communications, Kathy.Dye@Sealaska.com

Caption: Dozens of people participate in a blanket toss during the 2025 Traditional Games. Photo by Bryan Wallace, courtesy of SHI. Note: News outlets are welcome to use this photo for coverage of this story. For a higher-res version, contact kathy.dye@sealaska.com.