World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (WEIO) in Fairbanks

We spent the day on Friday at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics. Today's events included stick pull, ear pull, two-footed high kick, and blanket toss along with competitions for the best native regalia in multiple categories (fur, cloth, etc.) and the crowning of Miss WEIO. They also conducted separate demonstrations in fish cutting and harpooning of seals. The scheduled seal-skinning event had to be cancelled because the seals were still frozen. However, there were still several native dance troupes that performed their singing and/or dancing routines.
The stick pull consists of a 12" tapered stick from about 1 1/2" in the center to 1/2" at the end that is greased and competitors stand opposite one another with inner foot touching. The object is to yank the stick out of your opponent's hand without getting off balance or taking a step and you can't 'body-check' them either.
The ear pull was the toughest event with a few competitors ending up in the E.R. with torn ears today. Competitors sit facing each other with a length of sinew behind one ear. Keeping the head straight (no twisting!) and ensuring only the ear is "pulling" and not the face, the object is to lean back and pull so that the sinew ends up on YOUR ear (with your opponent 'giving in' and turning their head or their ear 'giving way'). Lots of grimacing in this event!

The two-footed high kick requires each competitor to jump off both feet evenly and hit a small, seal-skinned ball squarely with both feet simultaneously. The women typically were hitting about 6'6" with the men's record being 8'8"!

Of course, all of the native outfits and the singing and dancing were awesome! A great experience!