SHI Traditional Alaskan Games – Juneau Alaska

Sealaska Heritage Institute Press Release

SEVENTH ANNUAL TRADITIONAL ALASKAN GAMES TO KICK OFF THIS WEEKEND IN JUNEAU

Public invited to attend, watch livestream

April 1, 2024

(Register) (Schedule) (Volunteer) (Games Website

The seventh annual Traditional Alaskan Games will kick off this Friday in Juneau for athletes from 29 teams across Alaska, Canada and the Lower 48.

More than 260 middle school, high school, college and adult athletes from more than 20 communities will compete in 12 events that are based on ancient hunting and survival skills of Indigenous people.

The event will feature visiting teams from Seattle and Whitehorse and from across Alaska, including Hoonah, Metlakatla, Ketchikan, Sitka, Petersburg, Kake, Klawock, Thorne Bay, Anchorage, Seward, Sterling, Homer, Chickaloon Village, Utqiagvik and Nome. Students will represent teams from across the University of Alaska system, as well as Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.

It will also feature Juneau teams from Dzántik’i Héeni Middle School, Floyd Dryden Middle School, Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé, Thunder Mountain High School, Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School, University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) and the Tlingit Culture, Language and Literacy Program.

The games are different from most other sports in that athletes competing against one another in the same events also encourage each other to reach new personal bests. Coaches give helpful tips and guidance to athletes from opposing teams.

The result is an uncommon comradery and respect among athletes who find a new network of supporters and friends through the games.

Coach Kyle Worl, who resurrected a high school team in Juneau after a near 30-year lull, has competed in the games for the past 16 years and describes it as a “life-changing experience.”

“The games helped build my confidence. I felt like I belonged, and that Native identity was acknowledged and embraced. It was a way to connect with my culture and come out of my shell,” said Worl, a Tlingit tribal member. Worl explained that Juneau’s event is open to parents and adults and that non-Native athletes are also welcome to compete.
The free event is scheduled from 5:30-9 pm on Friday, April 5; 9 am-6 pm on Saturday, April 6; and 9 am-5 pm on Sunday, April 7 at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. Event organizers are looking for volunteers. To volunteer, register here or contact Coach Kyle Worl at kworl@tlingitandhaida.gov or 907.227.4998.

The games will be livestreamed from noon to 6 pm, Saturday, April 6, and from 11 am to 5 pm, Sunday, April 7, on Sealaska Heritage Institute’s YouTube channel which will 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.

About Traditional Games

The Traditional Games includes a variety of athletic events that test skills of strength, agility, balance, endurance and focus. These games are based on hunting and survival skills of the Indigenous peoples of Alaska and across the Arctic going back hundreds of years. Athletes strive to perform at their personal best while helping and supporting their fellow competitors, no matter what team they represent. This is the spirit of the games: to work together toward common goals and learn from the skills and values that have allowed Alaska Native people to survive and thrive in some of the harshest conditions.

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

  • Central Council Tlingit and Haida
  • Sealaska
  • Sealaska Heritage
  • Select Physical Therapy

Two Foot High Kick Level

  • Juneau Tlingit and Haida Community Council
  • University of Alaska Southeast

Alaskan High Kick Level

  • Juneau Community Foundation
  • SEARHC
  • Trickster Company
  • Worl Family

One Hand Reach Level

  • Thyes Schaub
  • Pat Tynan and Rick Harris

Partners

  • Goldbelt Heritage
  • Juneau School District
  • UAS Wooch.Een student club
  • Zach Gordon Youth Services (BAM afterschool program)

Sealaska Heritage Institute is a private nonprofit founded in 1980 to perpetuate and enhance Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian cultures of Southeast Alaska. Its goal is to promote cultural diversity and cross-cultural understanding through public services and events. SHI also conducts social 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, SHI Communications and Publications Deputy Director, 907.321.4636, kathy.dye@sealaska.com; Kyle Worl, Director of the Traditional Games Competition/Coach, 907.227.4998, kworl@tlingitandhaida.gov




SHI’s Native Youth Olympics (NYO)

Sealaska Heritage Institute

SHI’s NATIVE YOUTH OLYMPICS (NYO)

off shi Campus

SHI’s Alaskan Native Youth Olympics | Traditional Games

Native Youth Olympics (NYO) (also known as Traditional Games) is based on the hunting and survival skills of the Indigenous peoples of Alaska and across the Arctic going back thousands of years. Each athlete strives to perform at their personal best while helping and supporting their fellow competitors, no matter which team they are a part of. This is the spirit of the games: to work together toward common goals and learn from the skills and values that allowed Alaska Native peoples to survive and thrive in the harshest conditions.

Related SHI Topics




SHI’s Alaskan Traditional Games & Schedule

Sealaska Heritage Institute

ALASKAN NYO / TRADITIONAL GAMES | HERITAGE FORWARD.

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Alaskan Traditional Games

The Annual Traditional Games event is hosted in Juneau, Alaska each spring and includes 12 different games that test skills of strength, agility, balance, endurance and focus. These games are based on hunting and survival skills of the Indigenous people of Alaska and across the North going back hundreds of years. Athletes strive to perform at their personal best while helping and supporting their fellow competitors, no matter what team. This is the spirit of the games, to work together toward common goals and learn from the skills and values that allowed Alaska Native people to survive and thrive in some of the harshest conditions.

The Annual Traditional Games program is led by coach Kyle Kaayák’w Worl. kworl@tlingitandhaida.gov


Brief
Updated Event Details
Brief

Traditional Games 2024 (click here)

The seventh annual Traditional Games will be held in Juneau Friday through Sunday, April 5-7, 2024. Registration for athletes ages 11 and older will be available online beginning Jan. 9. The games will include teams from around the region and state competing in 12 events and will be live streamed on Sealaska Heritage Institute’s YouTube channel.

Updated Event Details

2024 Traditional Games

Juneau, Alaska
April 5 – 7, 2024

Juneau-Douglas Yaada.at Kalé High School

Schedule: Updated link provided below

The games will be live-streamed from noon to 6 pm (Saturday) April 6, and again from 11 am to 5 pm (Sunday) and April 7.

Saturday Livestream [Noon-6:00PM]: Click Here
Sunday Livestream [9:00 AM-5:30 PM]: Click Here

Results: Middle School
Results: High School
Results: Open 

NYO / Traditional Games Schedule and Info

FINAL: 2024 Traditional Games Schedule


PDF Schedule (click/print)

Open Division: 18+ Adults Out of High School


Registration Form

Middle School Division: 6th – 8th Grade

High School Division: 9th – 12th Grade


Registration Form

Join the Traditional Games as a Volunteer or Official!


Registration Form

Schedule:
Learn more about the upcoming schedule of events.


Registration Form

Please feel free to visit our external (old site) for more details


More Details