Mark your calendars for the 2011 Native Youth Olympics (NYO) games! This year, the games will take place April 29 to May 1 at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. NYO typically brings together more than 600 athletes and 5,000 spectators from more than 50 communities during three days of traditional Alaska Native games of skill and strength.
Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) is proudly hosting the 2011 NYO games. The NYO games promote healthy lifestyles, embrace traditional values and encourage positive sportsmanship. They help Alaskan youth connect with Alaska Native cultures and equip them with some of the skills that have sustained Alaska Native people for millennia. The games also help introduce Alaska Native culture to non-Native youth and audiences and plant seeds of cross-cultural understanding and respect. NYO is open to all students enrolled in participating junior and senior high schools as a way of sharing and celebrating Alaska Native traditions.
CITC is coordinating the games with communities, donors and corporate partners throughout Alaska. To learn about sponsorship opportunities or to make a financial donation, please contact Kelly Hurd, CITC development director, at khurd@citci.org or (907) 793-3272.
To learn more about this year’s NYO games, including information about the event schedule, team registration, travel and hotel information, news links and general information, visit www.citci.com/content/nyo-back or call (907) 793-3600.
Caption: The 2011 NYO games will take place April 29 to May 1 at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. Pictured doing the seal hop is Jonathan Phillip.
