Cultural Diversity Within Native Youth Olympics - 1135 Words

Running head: CULTURAL DIVERSITY WITHIN NATIVE YOUTH OLYMPICS 1 CULTURAL DIVERSITY WITHIN NATIVE YOUTH OLYMPICS 6 Cultural Diversity Within Native Youth Olympics Amber N. Scott University of Alaska Anchorage Abstract Over the course of the year I was able to coach the Native Youth Olympics team at Snowshoe Elementary school in Wasilla, Alaska. Through coaching, I was able to take away valuable knowledge about the Native Alaskan Culture. The games allowed us to partake in many Alaskan events and learn traditions. As a result of participating in the games, I was able to learn valuable lessons and resources to use in my classroom at Snowshoe Elementary such as the arm pull. The Native Youth Olympics allows†¦show more content†¦It also showcases appreciation of Alaska Native traditions and creates cross cultural understanding, (Native Youth Olympics 2015 Handbook) (2015). The games are a way Alaskans shared the secrets to successful hunting and fishing trips. This was a way of survival for many Alaskan villages. The games test the abilities that made everyday life in the village successful. The Native Youth Olympic competitions are a way that the elders carry on traditions and pass on cult ural heritage from generation to generation. The Native Youth Olympics are held within many schools throughout Alaska allowing the culture to be shared and learned by hundreds of students. This school year I had the privilege of coaching our school Native Youth Olympic team. This team was composed of 4th and 5th graders from Snowshoe Elementary in Wasilla Alaska. The team competed at two meets, a local meet as well as a statewide meet. During the local meet, we gathered at Houston Middle School and competed for the first time representing the Snowshoe Trailblazers. The State meet was held at Mirror Lake Middle School in Chugiak, Alaska. Our athletes competed in the arm pull, two-foot-high kick, wrist carry, Alaskan high kick, one-foot-high kick and the scissor broad jump. Training for these events started in January. The team gathered every Tuesday and Thursday before school to practice the events. In early January we invited a group of high school students