Veteran musher Jessie Holmes (bib # 7), of Brushkana, Alaska, is the first musher to arrive at the Kaltag checkpoint at 4:23 p.m. with 13 dogs in harness. In doing so, Holmes claims the Bristol Bay Native Corporation Fish First Award, which has been presented since 2014. BBNC’s Board Chairman, Russell Nelson, traveled to Kaltag to present the award, which consists of 25 pounds of fresh Bristol Bay salmon filets, $2,000 and a wood burned art piece by BBNC shareholder artist Apay’uq Moore.
“Bristol Bay Native Corporation congratulates Jessie and his team on being the first to arrive in Kaltag,” said Andria Agli, BBNC Sr. Vice President, Shareholder and Corporate Relations. “Dog mushing and fishing are longtime traditions in Bristol Bay, and we’re honored to recognize both through the BBNC Fish First Award. We wish Jessie continued success in the race and hope he savors the taste of Bristol Bay this summer.”
Bristol Bay is home to the world’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery. BBNC has endorsed a Fish First value for land and resource management in Bristol Bay. In all land management and resource development decisions, adequate protections for fish and fish habitat will always be a priority. The Fish First Award will be re-presented to Holmes at the finishers banquet in Nome.
Photo: Siri Raitto | siriraitto.com
