Screening in 4k at 5th Annual film fest December 2, 2023. The Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, Colorado.
For thousands of years, traditional Inuit sports have been vital for survival within the unforgiving Arctic.
Acrobatic and explosive, these ancestral games evolved to strengthen mind, body and spirit within the community.
Following four modern Inuit athletes reveals their unique relationship to the games as they compete across the North.
As unprecedented change sweeps across their traditional lands, their stories illuminate the importance of the games today. 27 min. + Q&A
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Alaskan Native athletes journey to compete in the traditional indigenous sports of the Arctic. These ancient survival skills shape the mind, body and spirit of each generation for life in the unforgiving North.
As the world shifts in unprecedented change, how will these ancestral traditions shape future generations to come?
“These aren’t just games, they’re survival skills.” Elder Big Bob Aiken
David Thomas
Raised far from the arctic by his grandmother, an Inupiaq elder, David grew up in the town of Palmer, Alaska, leading to the discovery of his personal abilities and cultural ancestry, his commitment to the Games reflects the strong values of his upbringing.
Elizabeth Rexford
A world champion, Elizabeth successfully bridges the traditional world of Barrow with the ivy league of Dartmouth College, through her travels we learn how the games have prepared her for extreme physical and mental strain.
Jesse Frankson
Five-time world record holder, Jesse leads a traditional subsistence lifestyle in the remote village of Point Hope. His abilities prove that the wilderness is the best training ground. As his environment undergoes hostile change the games are becoming more vital than ever for his survival.
The games represent the health, hope and dreams of the global arctic community.
in this sea of rising change what is the importance of the games for cultural identity and physical survival?
This educational 27-min release is a co-production with PBS, Native American Public Television (NAPT) and the Alaska Native Heritage Center.
