The 64th annual World Eskimo Indian Olympics kicked off Wednesday with traditional games, dancing and arts and crafts vendors at the Carlson Center.
WEIO brings together athletes from Across Alaska, Canada and Greenland to compete in traditional competitions over four days.
Dene’ Eslaanh led the opening ceremony Wednesday evening, followed by the Pavva Inupiaq Dancers and dozens of athletes.
The Alaska Native Veterans Association and military service members led the color guard.
Miss WEIO 2024 Tatiana Korthius, a University of Alaska Anchorage student from Bethel and Emmonak, led the six Miss WEIO 2025 contestants around the Carlson Center.
Anna Calhoun sang the national anthem and the Arctic Foxes sang the Alaska Flag Song.
Rev. Dr. Anna Frank gave the invocation and gave permission for WEIO to host the games on Athabascan land.
Amber Vaska, board chair of WEIO, welcomed athletes and guests to the games.
“It’s a celebration of who we are, gathered people united by heritage, history and shared spirit of unity,” Vaska said. “Here, with games passed down through generations, we remember our roots and strengthen the bond that holds our people together.
Kaia Mangaccat, of Juneau, and David Kokrine, of Fairbanks, who won the race of the messenger 5-kilometer run Wednesday, carried the torch and lit the seal oil flame to start the games. The lamp is made from soap stone and filled with moss and seal oil.
Local dignitaries attended the games, including state representatives Ashley Carrick, Maxine Dibert and Will Stapp.
The Miss WEIO 2025 contestants introduced themselves and shared their family backgrounds and platforms to the crowd Wednesday night. This year’s contestants include Miss Arctic Cirle Siearrah Thomas, Miss Tikigaq Mallorie Barger, Miss Fairbanks Native Association Alana Moses, Miss Alaska Native Brotherhood Brooke Anungazuk, Miss Camai Joeli Carlson, and Miss Top of The World Hokulani Panigeo
Vendors sold kuspuks, jewelry, ivory figurines, moccasins, candles, dolls, furs, parkas and more.
Games honor late WEIO athlete
This year’s games honor Carol Pickett Hull, a renowned WEIO athlete who died at 61 on May 5 at her home in Seward.
Hull set a world record of seven-feet in the one foot high kick in 1989, which held until Emily King, of Whitehorse, broke Hull’s record by one inch last summer.
“She’d want us to gather, to compete with courage and humility, to help and uplift one another and to carry forward the traditions she lovingly championed,” Vaska said.
Nicole Johnson first met Hull while competing against her in 1982.
Johnson shared that Hull was an accomplished native games athlete, passionate about mentoring athletes, an artist who made beautiful kuspuks, and that Hull prioritized her family.
“It’s really hard not to have her here with us this year,” Johnson said. “She’s touched so many lives.”
Gina Kalloch said that Hull was a good and loyal friend.
“Carol is with us in the hearts of anyone who learned something from her, who wore something she made, who laughed at her jokes,” Kalloch shared. She encouraged participants to play the games to the best of their abilities, dance and sing to the songs and enjoy the works of art in Hull’s honor.
WEIO started a scholarship fund in Hull’s name to help athletes with travel expenses, housing and uniforms.
Hull’s sister, Anna Pickett Chamberland, said that it was incredible to see the impact Hull made on WEIO.
She said that she wanted to see athletes succeed, and was “ecstatic” when her own record was broken last year.
WEIO continues through Saturday at the Carlson Center, 2010 2nd Ave. For more information and to view the schedule, visit weio.org.