Ear Pull, World Eskimo-Indian Olympics

The World Eskimo-Indian Olympics (or WEIO) is an annual event held over a four-day period in July or August, designed to preserve cultural practices and traditional survival skills essential to life in circumpolar areas of the world. The WEIO features games rooted in ancestral hunting and survival techniques employed by Native Americans, as well as dance and storytelling competitions. In 1961, the WEIO (formerly World Eskimo Olympics), held its inaugural event held on the banks of the Chena River, Fairbanks, Alaska, as part of the Golden Days celebration festivities. The event was sponsored by the City of Fairbanks, through the city's Chamber of Commerce.
In 1970 women. The first decade of the events featured male-only participants; eventually, the number of events which women competed increased. Women now participate in some of the more arduous events, including ear pulls and high kicks. Six years later, the WEIO formed a 501(c) outfit which took over sponsorship from the newspaper, and has been responsible for plans, preparations, and stagings related to the event.