Opinions

George Attla's living legacy could use some backup from Alaskans

I recently had the good fortune to witness an exceptional event of "Alaska life" in Huslia. The decision to route the Iditarod Race trail through the village this year was truly historic and very good. Not because it was once the hotbed of mushing, or that no other village has produced more champion mushers, or the fact it was the home and final resting place of the "Huslia Hustler," George Attla -- although I must say, it was a fitting tribute to the late champion to have 75 teams traveling within a few hundred yards of his grave.

The mushers I was able to visit were unanimously praising the trail and especially the reception they received. My personal thanks go to the people in Huslia for their hospitality, although I had already been aware of it, having been born there and returning several times a year.

It was an emotional experience for all who were there when the first musher arrived. An official mentioned that he didn't think it was ever any louder at the finish in Nome. They even had a countdown (needed for the second pool for the time of arrival). It will be one finish I will always remember.

What was truly remarkable were all the children looking to interact with any musher they could. One musher toward the back of the pack mentioned they are usually ignored but he felt like a "rock star" for the attention he received from them. Having followed the Iditarod every chance I could since the beginning, I don't recall so many kids seeking autographs. I believe this is the result of the Frank Attla Youth and Sled Dog Care-Mushing Program started by the late George Attla. With the foresight of the Yukon-Koyukuk School District and their help to include it into the curriculum for the Jimmy Huntington School in Huslia, we witnessed the phenomenon of these children sprouting from our stereotypical view of the shy village kid who tries to just blend into the background. Having been one of them, I can't tell you how happy I felt.

A special thanks to all the mushers who "put up" with it (at times, the kids were lined up). Having seen top-tier mushers before, many of whom may have been a bit aloof (to put it mildly), it was great. I firmly believe these kids will continue to benefit from this program. We may never see a future mushing champion come out of it but we will surely continue to witness this remarkable sprouting of their human nature as a result.

I hope and pray the Yukon-Koyukuk School Board continues to support this program. Not only they but the University of Alaska system should get involved in finding ways to better prepare kids who will become their students in the future.

One thing I'm afraid of is that with the passing of George this program might die as well. Fortunately, the same people who were the backbone of the program are still going forward. Not unlike many other good things in life that we benefit from, this program needs our help. I hope that all who love Alaska, dog mushing and, most of all, our future will support it. Our great state can only get better with a program such as this one. No doubt, it can be a model for others to follow and the future will be better for our kids, the dog mushing world and the Alaska we all love.

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I had the good fortune to visit with George in the hospital before his passing. He said: "You know, after all that I've done in my life, the only thing that means anything is the path we leave for our kids. It's too bad I figured it out this late in life."

I say the path they laid creating this program leaves George a good way to go out a champion. With my last words with him, I asked if there was anything I could do for him. The only thing he said was, "I know you'll back me up."

May he view these few words as a little back-up.

Gilbert Huntington is long-time dog musher, commercial fisherman and big-game hunting guide from Galena. He is the son of Sydney Huntington.

The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.

Gilbert Huntington

Gilbert Huntington is a long-time dog musher, commercial fisherman and big-game hunting guide from Galena. He is the son of Sydney Huntington.

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