The list of events postponed or canceled due to the novel coronavirus grows longer by the day. Here are some of the ones that especially affect the Y-K Delta. Please email news@kyuk.org to let us know about changes in your organization. This list will be updated as information is gathered.
The district and statewide Yup’ik Spelling Bees for Beginners are cancelled in response to social distancing measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The district tournament was planned for March 18 in Nunam Iqua with the statewide competition scheduled to follow later this spring in Anchorage. Organizer Freda Dan says the first Inupiaq Spelling Bee for Beginners is also cancelled.
The Cama'i Dance Festival in Bethel has been postponed until Fall 2020. Coordinator Linda Curda said that families traveling during spring break would have returned to Bethel on the weekend of the festival, and Curda didn’t want to place anyone in jeopardy should someone be carrying the virus.
The 2020 Native Youth Olympics Games have been canceled. The NYO Games were scheduled for April 23-25 in Anchorage. However, it would have been a gathering of more than 250 people, with Elders in attendance, which could rapidly spread the disease.
The Alaska School Activities Association Basketball Regional Tournament and State Tournament have also been canceled to "slow down the statewide spreading of the virus." After the event was initially postponed on March 11, the decision to cancel the state tournament came March 14.