Camaraderie and culture over competition: Don Heflin embodies what NYO is all about
Apr. 18—Don Heflin has played myriad sports over the years, such as basketball, hockey, track and field and football, but the one he has participated in the longest and enjoys the most is the Native Youth Olympics. While the rest are mostly team sports, the 16-year-old sophomore at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School has experienced a unique level of connection and positivity with NYO.
"I really found my love for NYO with the community," Heflin said. "That was one thing that really drew me in. It was hard to find the support in other sports and the positivity that these games have.
" He has been competing in the games for a decade, starting in Junior NYO in the first grade. As a proud Inupiaq, he also loves how the games help not only preserve his culture but also make him feel even closer to it. "It's coming from our people, so it makes me proud to compete here," Heflin said.
"Half of the time, you're not really competing. " The 2026 senior games started Thursday at the Alaska Airlines Center and wrap up with closing ceremonies Saturday night. While the winners and top five finishers in the NYO senior games are recognized and celebrated in front of the crowd, Heflin believes that they still shouldn't be treated like a track and field meet, where the primary goal may be to go for gold.
"A lot of people lose the spirit of these games over time when they keep going," Heflin said. "That's not really the point of these games. These are to have fun and test yourself.
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