New generation eyes next 50 years of WEIO

Published on July 29th, 2010

By VAN WILLIAMS

FAIRBANKS - While most people are focused on next year's 50th anniversary of the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics, Casey Ferguson of Chevak has his sights set on 2061.

The 22-year-old plans to be around when WEIO hits the century mark.

"I'll be here for sure," he said with a confident smile. "I'll be 72, still doing the one-arm reach."

Ferguson is part of the youth movement that will carry WEIO into the future and make sure the games stick around for another 50 years.

And he believes it's a pledge every Alaska Native should take.

"This is a part of our culture and it's not just one culture ... it belongs to every group throughout Alaska," said Ferguson, of Cup'ik heritage. "This pretty much indentifies us."

That's why it's so important for the younger athletes to accept the responsibility of carrying the torch, so they can learn the games first hand and pass down the traditions and techniques like so many elders before them.

"Each year we look at our events to make sure we're doing it right; to make sure we have history behind it," said Perry Ahsogeak, WEIO chairman for the board of governors. "We don't want to change or deviate from what we are doing."

Tradition is king with WEIO, and for good reason. The games are a test of strength, balance, poise and determination, tied to the subsistence lifestyle accustomed to northern climates.

Ahsogeak said overall participation numbers at WEIO have been steady over the years, although he would like to see more fresh faces representing the next generation.

So would Ferguson, who used to recruit people to join but eventually gave up trying because he believes it's something that has to come from within. Some people call it Native pride.

"If the younger generation wants to see this in another 50 years then it would be a good idea if they participated," Ferguson said. "They are going to be the ones coaching someday."

When Ferguson was a kid, he remembers watching Inupiat world champion Jesse Frankson of Point Hope.

When his buddy Tim Field of Noorvik was a kid, his role models were John Miller III of Barrow and David Palmer of Chickaloon.

They are to village kids what the Alaska Aces are to young hockey players in Anchorage.

"Since I first heard of WEIO in elementary school I have wanted to do it," said 19-year-old Kenan Napoleon of Seward. "I remember watching it on TV."

Napoleon, of Yup'ik and Cup'ik descent, has had a hand in resurrecting the Native Youth Olympics junior program in Seward.

Last year he was part of a group that comprised the city's first NYO team to compete at the state meet in five years. Last week he was joined at WEIO by Seward friends Zach and Ariana.

They are celebrated in Seward by local elders.

"They think it's really cool," Napoleon said. "They tell us that we should be proud."