Youth Ultimate Warrior Kicks Off Today
Twenty-Four youth to compete
Brinna Melendrez felt Crow youth had been long forgotten during Native Days and that felt problematic, because Native Days started in the early 2000s as a way to keep the youth out of trouble during the summer months.
Not one to rest on her laurels, Melendrez decided to host an Ultimate Warrior Challenge for young people, in addition to her duties fundraising for the Crow Fair parade.
Enter Theodore Little Light and Stephanie White who had said the idea for Youth Ultimate Warrior Challenge was brought up years ago but due to lack of budget it wasn't able to be hosted.
“It's time for a change, Time to try something new,” Theodore Little Light said. “The Ultimate Warrior Challenge has been for 18 and older but what about the 13-17 year olds?”
The organizers wanted to give the youth a challenge especially within the event as some kids might be a good runner and a bad archer or even a bad runner and a good archer. Luella stated how the event “Gives a more broad playing field.”
The organizers turned to donations and fundraising to be able to make this event possible. All of the placing prizes were donated for the event.
This year's Youth Ultimate Warrior events will consist of a 200 Meter Dash, Archery, Canoeing, and of course Running. All together the running course is three miles long, each event being evenly distributed. This year started off with a good bunch with 14 boys and 10 girls signed up to participate in the event ages ranging from 13 to 17 years old. Alongside 15 timers placed around the track to keep the times, especially with the rules for archery as each arrow that doesn't hit the target will result in a time delay for the competitor.
Organizers agreed that over the years events for the youth at Native Days seemed to decrease. People are losing interest in these events.
“Drugs are taking over. It's too easy to get,” Stephanie Little Light said. “Especially within the native youth today who are being taken by these substances, Technology, and lack of things to do.”
Stephanie Little Light said the event will spread positivity amongst the youth. Theodore Little Light said he wants it to bring confidence in what they do. Melendrez said she hopes the event helps bring back the youth.