The Pavva Inupiaq Dancers, including Christopher Topkok, 16, front, perfrom during the ceremonial opening ceremonies for the 50th World Eskimo-Indian Olympics on the William Ransom Wood Memorial Foot Bridge across the Chena River downtown Tuesday afternoon, July 19, 2011. Eric Engman/News-Miner
The 2010 Miss WEIO Elizabeth Rexford, left, talks with the inaugural 1961 Torch Run winner Billy Tegoseak, right, during the ceremonial opening ceremonies for the 50th World Eskimo-Indian Olympics on the William Ransom Wood Memorial Foot Bridge across the Chena River downtown Tuesday afternoon, July 19, 2011. Eric Engman/News-Miner
Gwendolyn Bunch, 7, wears a pair of arctic fox mitts made for her by her grandfather Mark Wartes as she performs with the Pavva Inupiaq Dancers during the ceremonial opening ceremonies for the 50th World Eskimo-Indian Olympics on the William Ransom Wood Memorial Foot Bridge across the Chena River downtown Tuesday afternoon, July 19, 2011. Eric Engman/News-Miner
Marjorie Tahbone dons the headpiece of Miss Indian World Gathering of Nations during the ceremonial opening ceremonies for the 50th World Eskimo-Indian Olympics on the William Ransom Wood Memorial Foot Bridge across the Chena River downtown Tuesday afternoon, July 19, 2011. Tahbone was crowned the 2010 Miss WEIO, a title she relinquished in order to be eligible for the 2011 Miss Indian World pageant, which she won this spring. Eric Engman/News-Miner
Billy Tegoseak of Barrow was the original torch bearer for the Run of the Torch during the 1961 games. The WEIO Board of Governors presented him an anniversary box with an ivory key inside. Tegoseak held the key up for the crowd to see.
“We certainly hope you become part of our celebration,” he told visitors.
Tegoseak, 67, said he never expected to see the day WEIO turned 50, and he was pleased to see how much it had grown.
“It’s a real dream to come back 50 years later,” he said.
The ceremony took place on the William Ransom Wood Centennial Bridge, overlooking Griffin Park where the original games were held. The Pavva Inupiaq Dancers of Fairbanks entertained the crowd, shaking the bridge with their performances. In red kuspuks, the women danced while the men, in white kuspuks, drummed several songs. Miss Indian World 2012 Marjorie Tahbone and 1962 Miss Eskimo World Daphne Rylander Gustafson also attended the event.
“We’re very proud of how the traditions and cultures have continued over the years,” said Perry Ahsogeak, chairman of the WEIO Board of Governors. He introduced several of the people who have helped to continue many of the traditions.
The current Miss WEIO, Elizabeth Rexford, was one of those people. Rexford, 25, has attended WEIO about a dozen times since she was in the third grade. She keeps coming back for some of her favorite events — the dancing, the baby contest and the Race of the Torch.
“Some people I only see once a year,” she said. “I’ve done the games since I was little, so it’s like a big reunion.”
“I grew up at WEIO,” she said.
Board Governor Gina Kalloch expressed her gratitude to the City of Fairbanks allowing the event to continue all these years.
“It means a lot to us when the greater community embraces our Native community,” she said.
Contact staff writer Reba Lean at 459-7523.
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