World Eskimo-Indian Olympics Celebrates 40th Anniversary.

• Author: PILKINGTON, STEVE
• Position: Brief Article

Since the first World Eskimo-Indian Olympics were held in 1961, the interest in the competition and culture of the games has grown to attract athletes from other countries and spectators from far away. But with the 40th anniversary games this month in Fairbanks, where the games officially started, the remarkable part is the remaining spirit and enduring connection among athletes and families who have gathered from circumpolar areas since long before the WEIO became an annual event.

"My first introduction to these games was in high school," said Gregory Nothstine, who is now the chair of the board Of governor for the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. "It was a character building experience

Nothstine still recalls the lessons he learned from other athletes in the events. It wasn't all about winning, though each competitor strives for his or her best. It was about sharing the experiences of life in an unforgiving part of the world and of retaining the ties that bind Alaska Natives and other indigenous populations together, he said.

"One of my competitors came up to coach me during an event. It becomes really humbling to sincerely come up to (an athlete) and coach him," he said. "We all hope for each other what we hope for ourselves."

When the games open July 18, part of the celebration is how the games have continued and grown in the past 40 years.

The first games in Fairbanks in 1961 drew contestants and dance teams from Barrow, Unalakleet, Tanana, Fort Yukon, Noorvik and Nome. The City of Fairbanks, through the Chamber of Commerce, sponsored the event as a segment of the emerging Golden Days celebration. The chamber's involvement lasted through the 1969 games. The late A.E. "Bud" Hagberg and Frank Whaley are credited as the organizers of the World Eskimo Olympics, as it was known then.

In 1970, the Tundra Times, by agreement with the Fairbanks chamber, took over sponsorship of the growing games, and three years later changed the name to what it is...