A Pamyua concert, a pilot bread recipe contest and an appearance by Iditarod champion John Baker will spice up this week's Native Youth Olympics, which begin today at the Dena'Ina Center.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., with the first athletic competition -- the kneel jump -- scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m.

The three-day event is an annual gathering of high school-aged athletes from across Alaska. They compete in games that honor and celebrate Native culture and history.

One of today's highlights is a scheduled appearance by Baker, an Inupiat from Kotzebue who is a veteran of NYO. William Wallner of the Cook Inlet Tribal Council said a time isn't set for Baker's appearance, but that it will happen today.

Saturday's events include a free, one-hour concert by Pamyua, the popular Inuit band, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

Sunday's lineup features a pilot break recipe contest, scheduled for noon. Entries can be submitted online -- http://www.citci.com/content/line-pilot-bread-submission-form -- or dropped off at the pilot bread table at the Dena'Ina Center. The top three will compete for top honors Sunday, with the winner getting a year's supply of pilot bread.

Native Youth Olympics

Schedule of athletic competitions

Today -- Kneel jump, 10:30 a.m.; blanket toss exhibition, noon; wrist carry, 1 p.m.; Alaska high kick, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday -- Eskimo stick pull, 9 a.m.; toe kick, 12:30 p.m.; one-hand reach, 2:30 p.m.; two-foot high kick, 4 p.m.

Sunday -- Indian stick pull, 10 a.m.; one-foot high kick, 12:30 p.m; seal hop, 3 p.m.