INUVIK - When Kyle Kuptana wasn't competing in virtually every Northern Games sporting event last week, he could be found beside his fellow athletes cheering them on.

"That's what it's all about," said Kuptana. "Everyone comes together from all the communities to play the games and have fun. The competitors help each other out. That's what makes me try harder, to push harder just a little bit more."

Kyle Kuptana makes an all-out effort in the one-foot high kick event finals on Sunday. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

No slouch himself, the 22-year-old Inuvik resident grabbed a bronze medal in the two-foot high kick event in Sunday's final round, which whittled the competition down to the top five competitors. He also competed in the finals of the one-foot high kick and was a force to be reckoned with.

No stranger to traditional sports, he has competed in the Arctic Winter Games, the World Eskimo-Indian Olympics in Alaska, and the 2007 Canada Winter Games, where he took home two bronze medals in the one-hand reach and Alaskan high kick events.

The proud Inuvialuit was among 12 youth from across Canada to be named National Aboriginal Role Models for his commitment to education, culture and volunteering with youth, among other things. So to see him throw himself into the Northern Games events is no surprise to anyone, including Roy Ipana, the chair of the Northern Games Society.

"Kyle Kuptana is one exceptional young man," said Ipana. "His commitment to sports is unreal. He promotes them. He works so hard. His actions speak louder than words.

"He'll do whatever it is you ask him to do. He takes the time to do it. When he says he's going to do something, he does it. He's a great role model. He's real."

Although he also plays more mainstream sports such as soccer and baseball, his heart remains with the traditional sports of his ancestors.

"My ancestors used to play these games," he said. "These are our games. We played them to get into shape and survive the cold winters. They're a lot different than hockey or volleyball and they're a lot harder to play. It's more of a state of mind kind of thing, not to get psyched out. The calibre of athletes here are as good as any."

Asked how long he'll continue to participate in the traditional games, he smiled and said, "As long as I can."