Associated Press
The athletes filling a huge gym in Anchorage, Alaska were ready to compete, cheering and stomping and high-fiving each other as they lined up for the chance to claim the state's top prize in their events. For generations, Alaska Natives played these games to develop the skills they needed to become successful hunters — and survive — in an unforgiving climate. Now, today's youth play “to help preserve our culture, our heritage, and to teach our youth how difficult life used to be and to share our culture with everyone around us who wants to know more about our people,” said Nicole Johnson, the head official for the event and one of Alaska’s most decorated Native athletes.