Lang makes the leap

Olympian wows audiencesIt's a long way from a small town in California to the big ice of the Olympics and to the world stage of ice dancing; but Naomi Lang, Karuk, made the leap with grace and beauty.

Lang, now 28 years old, is a professional ice dancer who travels the world. The day after Indian Country Today spoke with Lang she was headed for a one-month tour in Germany and England.

Lang, whose Karuk name is Maheetahan (Morning Star), is the first and only American Indian woman to ever compete in the Olympic Games. Lang finished 11th in the Salt Lake City, Utah, 2002 Winter Olympics. On tour, she not only represents the United States, but all of Indian country.