Students from Fort Lewis College are bringing Indigenous tradition, athleticism, and community-building to a global stage after competing in the Native Youth Olympics in Juneau, Alaska.
Members of the college’s Alaska Native Club traveled to Juneau earlier this month to participate in the competition, which features traditional Indigenous games rooted in subsistence practices, cultural knowledge, and physical endurance.
For many students, the experience was about more than competition.
“No matter what team you come from, no matter what village or where you’re from in the world, everyone supports you,” said Kenna Miller, a first-year student majoring in early childhood education. “You just have to show up and try your best.”
The Alaska Native Club, a relatively new registered student organization founded in January 2025, has quickly grown to include about 10 to 15 active members. The group sent eight students to this year’s competition after making the trip a priority and holding regular practices throughout the academic year.
Native Youth Olympics events differ from traditional Western sports, emphasizing skills tied to survival and cultural traditions. Events include the Inuit stick pull, which simulates pulling a seal from the water, the seal hop, and the one-foot and two-foot high kicks, which represent successful or unsuccessful hunts depending on the season.
“These are games I’ve been doing since second grade,” said Bay Rose Kauffman, a sophomore majoring in exercise physiology with a minor in coaching. “When you come to college, especially outside of Alaska, there usually isn’t a way to continue. Being able to do this here and share it with others means a lot.”
Kauffman placed third in the Inuit stick pull at this year’s competition. Other Fort Lewis College students also earned top finishes, including first-place honors in the seal hop and additional placements across multiple events. The team was also recognized with the “Most Inspiring College” award and received a $1,000 grant.
Beyond competition, the trip offered opportunities for cultural exchange and connection. Students participated in workshops led by international teams, including athletes from New Zealand and Mexico, and connected with peers from universities across Alaska and the Lower 48.
“It’s not just about competing,” Kauffman said. “You make connections with people from all over the world. It really feels like family.”
Students also served as ambassadors for higher education, participating in a college panel for middle and high school students attending the event. They shared their experiences transitioning to college and highlighted opportunities at Fort Lewis College, including the Native American tuition waiver.
“I never thought I would go to college,” Miller said. “Fort Lewis made that possible.”
The experience reflects the college’s broader commitment to supporting Indigenous students and creating pathways for success while honoring cultural identity.
For Kauffman, that includes balancing her academic pursuits with her life back home in Alaska, where she commercial fishes for halibut with her family each summer.
“It’s how I pay for college, and it’s part of who I am,” she said. “Being able to come here, continue my education, and still stay connected to my culture is really special.”
Students say the club’s growth is just beginning. They hope to expand participation, increase visibility on campus, and eventually establish the Native Youth Olympics team as a club sport to access additional resources and support.
“There’s so much potential here,” Kauffman said. “We want more people to learn about these games and be part of it.”
As the team looks ahead, students are also exploring ways to bring Indigenous games to the Southwest, creating new opportunities for cultural exchange and community connection.
“Everyone supports each other,” Miller said. “That’s what makes this so powerful.”