The audience in North Star Theatre seems to hold its collective breath as Aaliyah Tiedeman balances her entire body on her right hand, her feet and left hand suspended in a kind of single-hand pushup. She then reaches out with her left hand to hit a ball suspended from a string. The audience erupts in cheers and applause.
Tiedeman was among the Cordova Native Youth Olympians who demonstrated their athletic skills during Native Village of Eyak’s 26th annual Sobriety Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Coach Nick Tiedeman narrated the demonstration, explaining the purpose and challenge of events such as the wrist carry, stick pull, two-foot high kick, one-foot high kick and one-hand reach.
The games of strength, endurance and knowledge are based on traditional athletic contests meant to help develop skills critical for surviving Arctic winters. Many take up relatively little space, potentially allowing athletes to hone their skills indoors.
“It’s a very different sport,” Nick Tiedeman said. “It’s great to get it back into our culture and teach it to other kids.”
The demonstration was just a sampling of events the team competes in during the Alaska Native Youth Olympics and Junior Native Youth Olympics games on a statewide level. While the games are based on Alaska Native traditions, the team is open to all.
“It’s not just for Native kids,” Nick Tiedeman said. “It’s all about showing our culture and traditions to other people and around the state and around the country. It’s a very fun event and it’s nice to be a part of it.”
