World Eskimo Indian Olympics Ronnie Bodfish performs with the Wainwright Dancers during the 1998 World Eskimo Indian Olympics. The Olympics feature athletic and cultural events ranging from the horrifyingly fascinating ear weight and ear pull competitions to the Native baby contest and Miss WEIO beauty pageant.
Native artisans line the upper deck of the arena selling traditional, hand-crafted art and jewelry.
Old friends who often only see each other once a year at this long-standing annual event catch up on the previous winter. It offers so many aspects of Native culture, from games, the baby pageant, the Native dress contest and 60 artisan tables. Most of the 25 athletic competitions are derived from skills necessary or useful in traditional Native lifestyles. The original purpose of some of the competitions are obvious, like the fish cutting and seal skinning events. Others, like the blanket toss, which is thought to have been used so hunters could see seals beyond the ice pack near coastal areas, are less so.