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Board of Governors
The WEIO Board of Governors is a working board of dedicated volunteers who actively guide and support every aspect of the World Eskimo‑Indian Olympics. The Board is committed to ensuring the long‑term sustainability of the Games, strengthening our cultural and community impact, and upholding WEIO’s mission to celebrate, preserve, and share Alaska Native traditions for future generations.
Chair
Amber Vaska
Yup'ik | Board Members Since 2021
Amber’s passion for the native games began in 5th grade. She’s competed in Native Youth Olympics, WEIO, Northern Games, Traditional Games and Arctic Winter Games. Her favorite games are Kneel Jump with a personal best of 55¼ inches and Two Foot High Kick with a personal best of 74 inches. Amber is married to James with two children, Dominic and Nastasia.
Vice Chair
Marjorie “Kunaq” Tahbone
Inupiaq & Kiowa | Board Member Since 2016
My name is Kunaq, I am from Nome, Alaska. I have served on the WEIO board since 2016. I was Miss WEIO 2011 and I have participated at WEIO for 15 years, my favorite game to compete in is the Indian (Dena) Stick Pull and my favorite game to watch is Two-Foot High Kick.
Treasurer
Gregory Nothstine
Inupiaq | Board Member Since 2022
Gregory Nothstine was born in Anchorage and raised in Nome, Alaska, by his Inupiat speaking grandmother, Adele Kuyuk Tungwenuk, He is the son of Sophie Egeelana Tungwenuk Nothstine from the Native Village of Wales (Kinigin). His first WEIO expeience was when he was 15 years of age in 1976. Ever since then he made it his passion and pleasure to participate in WEIO both as a young athlete, dance group member, and as a WEIO board member for more than over 45 years.
Secretary
Yvonne Flynn
Dena’ina | Board Member Since 2022
My family is from Lime Village but I grew up in Kenai. I have been on the board since July 2022, however, my passion for Native Games started when I was in 6th grade. Since then I have been involved by being an athlete, coach, volunteer, artist contractor, official, head official, and coordinator.
Candice Parker
Inupiaq | Board Member Since 2023
Candice Adele Kuyuk Parker, a Tungwenuk descendant from Wales, Alaska, is the youngest of eight children and was raised in Nome. She graduated from Nome Beltz High School and studied Psychology and Business at UAF and UAA. After a 27-year career in retail, she now focuses on preserving Inupiaq traditions taught by her mother, including crafts, gathering, and processing foods. With 38 years of volunteer work as an athlete, coach, and now WEIO board member, Candice is dedicated to connecting youth and adults to their cultural roots. Her passion project, Mukluks On The Ground, teaches traditional skills to the next generation, inspiring pride and connection—what she calls “Vitamin C: C is for Culture.”
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Caroline Wiseman
Board Member Since 2025
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Crystal Murphy
Inupiaq | Board Member Since 2024
Crystal is from White Mountain, AK and currently resides in Fairbanks. She attended her first wheel at the age of 16 and has been both a participant and a spectator since then. While in school, she participated in Native Youth Olympics and found strength games to be her best events. This is her first year on the board of governors, and she is very excited to be able to be behind the scenes, spectating, and competing.
Leon Kinneeveauk
Board Member 2025
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Nicole Johnson
Inupiaq | Board Member 2005-2015 and since 2022
Nicole is from Nome, AK, currently lives in Anchorage with her Husband Jeff. She first competed at WEIO in 1985 and has been involved every year since, as an athlete, coach, or an official. She served on the Board of Governors as a former Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chair. She is the former Two-Foot High Kick World Record holder from 1989. Nicole was inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame in 2017 for her passion and dedication to Indigenous Sports. She is the Head Official and an instructor for NYO Games Alaska and the President of Arctic Winter Games Team Alaska. Her favorite games to compete in were the Kneel Jump and Two-Foot High Kick and her favorite to watch are the One Hand Reach and the Alaskan High Kick.