Volunteers are absolutely vital to the success of Iditarod, and also part of what makes it so special. The race, simply put, would not be able to function without them. Because of this, I will be turning the spotlight on some of these unsung heroes of the Last Great Race. Beginning next school year, I will be conducting interviews and getting some of the behind the scenes stories from those who have lived them. The “Voices of the Volunteers” will be an homage to these amazing people that help make the race happen year after year, pandemic or not! So here is a preview of what you can expect in future posts.

Volunteers at the ceremonial start in Anchorage. Photo Credit: Mike Kenney

Today I will be speaking with Terrie Hanke. Terrie is a long time race volunteer, member of the Iditarod EDU department, the person behind the puppy that is “Sanka”, mentor to some of us Teachers on the Trail™, and an incredibly knowledgeable and down-to-earth individual. She is also an amazing photographer and storyteller. Terrie travels along the trail and uses her imagery to tell the stories of those from the “back of the pack”. These stories are inspirational and eloquently told, and often appear on the Iditarod website. I was excited to sit down and talk with Terrie about her thoughts and observations as a long time race volunteer…

2006 Teacher on the Trail™. Photo Credit: Jeff Schultz

How did you first hear of the Iditarod?

“I had a friend who was a doc in Bethel, Alaska who served in the public health sector for 4 years in villages like Shageluk and Anvik, so Iditarod went through some of her villages. When she moved back here, some of the mushers would come up in conversation, and it turned out that she got into sled dogs up there, and brought her sled dogs down here when she moved back. Once she got her house established, she bought a dog named Ivedi who had 6 pups, and that’s how I got acquainted with sled dogs, and really Iditarod. 

Then when she would go away, she would need a handler to look after her dogs. So I became her handler in ‘95 or ‘96 and I have been her handler ever since. Then in the winter of 2003, I was looking around the (Iditarod) website and this thing popped up about a summer teacher’s conference. So I did that in 2003, and that’s where I learned about using Iditarod in the classroom and the Teacher on the Trail™ program. Diane Johnson encouraged me to apply and I did apply in the fall of 2004 and went to the race in 2005 as a finalist. Then I was chosen for 2006 and I have been going back every year since!”

What keeps you coming back?

“The idea of bringing the race to people. My stories that go on the front page of Iditarod and Junior Iditarod, anybody can see those; you don’t have to pay. I think that through the stories that I put up, that people might decide to try things like the Insider. But really, it’s about bringing the race to the people, and then maybe bringing people to the race.

But there is also the camaraderie. Once you are there, you are never a stranger anymore and I’m one of the few teachers that got to go there (Skwentna) the first night of the race. I’m sitting across from Joe Delia, and this man’s a legend, this man is something else, and I’m just listening to him tell stories, and that is just so cool. But then I go out to Skwentna the next year and I’m part of the “comms” crew and it’s like you’re their long lost daughter. They’re so happy to welcome the Iditarod volunteers back every year. It’s just amazing, it’s like another holiday. It’s a special camaraderie with the other volunteers, but also the people in the villages.” 

What is your favorite aspect of volunteering?

“The relationships that I have been able to create with mushers, with other volunteers and people in the villages. The relationships because all those relationships bring stories and stories of good memories. It’s a lot about keeping your eyes and ears open. Like in Unalakleet, the sun comes up about 9:00 and I always try to get down to the checkpoint before that happens, because it’s just beautiful and a good time to talk to folks. The opportunities and the things you get to see, and the things you get to FEEL; the moments. It’s those kinds of things that make it special.”

Teachers: In the spirit of volunteering, have your students write a brief narrative telling a time when they volunteered for something. It does not have to be volunteering through a formal organization, even volunteering to help mom or dad out around the house without being asked could count!