Inside Alaska - Fairbanks, Denali, Interior and Arctic Alaska » Alaska Native Culture

Two-Foot High Kick – WEIO 2010

FCVB — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:47:05 +0000

As you will see in the video below, the two-foot high kick is an amazing event. It is one of the most visually-spectacular competitions held every year at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics in Fairbanks.

You’ll notice the ball is suspended at a height that is almost beyond the reach of a competitor, who then (almost effortlessly) kicks that ball with both feet together, landing without a stumble. Wow.

You can see more high kick video from WEIO 2009 here.

Tweeting in the Last Seven Days: Owl, WEIO, McKinley

FCVB — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:00:26 +0000

There has been a high level of activity on the Fairbanks Twitter account over the past week. An owl closeup has been clicked a record number of times, while photos from this year’s World Eskimo-Indian Olympics are not far behind. We also saw great traffic flowing to North Pole and Denali photography…as usual.

Terrific owl photo taken in Fairbanks: http://ow.ly/2hQbb
Mt. MicKinley from the air, shrouded in clouds: http://ow.ly/2hjmQ
Just published: our set of Two-Foot High Kick and Ear-Pull pictures from the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics: http://ow.ly/2hw4C
Stunning photography from the Brooks Range thanks to @alaskaphoto – http://ow.ly/2eFwC
Great Fairbanks/North Pole area sunset photo: http://ow.ly/2fKxn
Stunning photos taken in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by @alaskaphoto – http://ow.ly/2gIBD
Great post/photo from @alaskaphoto on ‘Denali and Wonder Lake’ – http://ow.ly/2hXbG

Top clicking tweets from the past can be found in our archives.

WEIO 2010: Two Foot High Kick, Ear Pull

FCVB — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:29:20 +0000

We were able to spend some time at the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics or WEIO again this year. We took pictures at two of the favorite (and most photogenic) events: the two-foot high kick and the ear-pull.

Here are descriptions of the events you see above from the WEIO website:

Ear Pull

In this event, there are two people sitting down facing each other with twine looped around each other’s ear – right ear to right ear, left to left. The two begin a “tug-of-war” to see who the winner is. Best two out of three wins the match. There are times when the loop will slip off one opponent’s ear – that person is the loser of that round. Each participant alternate each round using alternate ears. A game of stamina to pain, the victor demonstrates he/she can withstand pain, a trait sometimes needed to survive the harsh realities of the North.

Two-foot High Kick

This event is similar to the one-foot high kick with the difference being the athlete jumps off the floor using both feet, hits the suspended target with both feet together, and maintains balance upon reaching the floor. When landing both feet must touch the floor at the same time.

Years ago, in the coastal whaling villages, in order for the village to know that a whale has been taken, a runner would run back to the village and when within sight of the village, the messenger would jump and kick both feet into the air while running. In that manner, the people of the village would know a what was caught and prepare themselves to help in “beaching” the whale.

WEIO has a great website. Be sure to check it out for more. Also check the Inside Alaska archives for more photos and videos of WEIO from previous years.

Morris Thompson Center on Life on the Edge

FCVB — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:27:33 +0000

The folks at Life on the Edge from Newsradio 970 KFBX dropped in a few days ago to speak with us about the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center. Karen Lundquist, our Vice President of Marketing explains why this should be your first stop on any visit to Fairbanks.

6/25: New Things to Do, First Friday Next Week

FCVB — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:35:53 +0000

Today we got together with our Vice President of Visitor Services and Membership Karen Lane to discuss some new businesses and things to do, see or experience around Fairbanks. We also discussed the schedule for the upcoming First Friday art exhibit (July 2) here at the Morris Thompson Center.

Download the 6-25 KFBX Update

6/11: Cultural Programs at the Morris Thompson Center

FCVB — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:52:34 +0000

This week’s program is focused on the Cultural Programs underway at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center this summer. There is also mention of the new ‘Farthest North Antler Arch’ near our river walk, which you see above. Get all the details when you play or download this update below.

Download the 6/11 Update

5/28: New Cultural Programs, First Friday

FCVB — Fri, 28 May 2010 16:00:05 +0000

We spoke with Vice President of Visitor Services and Membership Karen Lane today about the upcoming Cultural Programs at the Morris Thompson Center. We also discussed some of the items on the agenda for the next First Friday Art Exhibit. Play or download this week’s program below.

Download the May 28 Update

Twitter: Lots of Interior Alaska Photos

FCVB — Thu, 06 May 2010 18:40:32 +0000

Area photos were popular, as always, on Twitter over the past week. You can still cast your vote in our first quarter 2010 photo contest, which has been our most popular link. There is also an interesting video showing the toppling of Alaska’s tallest structure from several days ago. Otherwise…it’s great photo after great photo from Fairbanks, North Pole, Denali and other places around Interior Alaska.

Terrific batch of Fairbanks, Denali and Interior Alaska photos: pick your three favorites now – http://ow.ly/1HwRB
A great series of pictures of Fall clouds and sky from North Pole, Alaska – http://ow.ly/1GRbk
Great capture of swans at Creamer’s Field in Fairbanks – http://ow.ly/1GQPX
Another great image from Fairbanks on Flickr: ‘pandion haliaetus perched on a white spruce overlooking the Chena River’ – http://ow.ly/1GQKT
Nice recent photo of the Chena River: http://ow.ly/1Fhnf Looking a lot like summer!
Alaska’s tallest structure was taken down Wednesday. Here’s a cool video showing its demolition: http://ow.ly/1FfUF
A huge amount of cool ice art and Festival of Native Arts photos: http://ow.ly/1FnUs

3/19: Open North American, Alaska Native Art

FCVB — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:29:03 +0000

The short program formerly known as the Midday Update has changed a bit in recent days and now airs during The Morning Show on KFBX 970AM. Today we talk about the events surrounding the GCI Open North American Championship, other things happening downtown this weekend and an Alaska Native Art Bazaar at the Morris Thompson Center.

Download the 3/19 Update

First Morris Thompson Exhibit Photos

FCVB — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:15:40 +0000

Every Fairbanks visitor should stop in at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center at 101 Dunkel Street downtown. Not only is it the best place to find information on things to do and see around Fairbanks and Alaska’s Interior; it is also a place to experience a bit of the culture and natural beauty of the area within a series of world-class exhibits. These exhibits have recently been opened, but still have a long way to go before completion. We hope the photos below will give you a taste of what you may see when you arrive.

If you’d like to see how far the exhibits have come over the past few month, be sure to check out this video from July. If you indeed come to see us in person, be sure to pick up one of our just-released Winter Guides. You can also request one by mail in advance of your trip, or take a look at the filp-book style online version.