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HUMBOLDT COUNTY, CALIFORNIA - Paul Kirk, Fifth District Supervisor Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, announced that a congratulatory Resolution of Commendation for 2002 Winter Olympic pairs ice dancer, Naomi Lang, slated for the Board's March 5, 2002 agenda was passed.

Photo by Leslie Dixon, Mother of Naomi Lang.

Ms. Lang and her ice dance partner, Peter Tchernyshev, a native of Russia and a new U.S. citizen, finished eleventh overall in pairs ice dancing in Salt Lake City. Ms. Lang, born in Arcata, California (Humboldt County), is also a citizen of the Karuk Tribe of California, now makes her home in Allegan, Michigan, is very proud of her Karuk heritage.

The pair have dubbed themselves, "The Native American and the New American."

According to the news media, Ms. Lang is the first Native American woman to participate in the Olympics, as well as the first Native American to compete in the Winter Olympics.

Supervisor Paul Kirk, is very pleased with Ms. Lang's performance, and looks forward to seeing Naomi and Peter compete in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COUNTY OF HUMBOLDT

WHEREAS, Naomi Lang, a Humboldt County native and member of the Karuk Tribe, and her Russian-born ice dancing partner, Peter Tchernyshev, a new U.S. citizen, represented Team USA during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, with Naomi being the first Native American woman to compete in the Olympics; and

WHEREAS, Naomi began training in ballet at the age of three years with the Redwood Concert Ballet in Eureka, began ice skating at the age of eight, and began ice dancing at twelve years old; and

WHEREAS, Naomi and her first partner, John Lee, achieved the 1995 U.S. Novice dance title and a 1996 Junior silver medal; and

WHEREAS, Naomi and current partner Peter Tchernyshev were selected to compete in this year's Winter Olympics after they won their second Four Continents title and their fourth national title at the U.S. National Championship in Los Angeles in January 2002; and

WHEREAS, Naomi proudly participated in the Winter Olympics opening ceremonies, accepting blessings from one of Utah's Indian elders in his native language. Naomi and Peter, who have dubbed themselves "The Native American and the New American," placed 11th in the Free Dances during the Winter Olympics, for an overall finish of 11th place in the pairs ice dancing competition; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors wishes to commend Naomi Lang for her dedication and hard work that led her to become the first Native American woman in the Olympics and the first Native American in the Winter Olympics.

DATED: March 5, 2002

/S/ BONNIE NEELY, Chair
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors

Source: Teresa MacClelland, Administrative
Assistant, Humboldt County Board of Supervisors