Brandon Esai Presents AAT Spirit of Iditarod Award to Mille Porsild (Photo: Insider Video)

As the first musher to arrive in Nikolai, Mille Porsild received the Alaska Air Transit Spirit of Iditarod Award.  Mille, wearing bib #12 arrived in Nikolai at 09:09 on Tuesday March 5th with 14 dogs in harness.

Mille received beaver fur musher’s mitts with beadwork on moose hide (handmade by Loretta Maillelle of McGrath), a beaver fur hat (handmade by Oline Petruska of Nikolai) as well as a Pendleton wool blanket from Alaska Air Transit. 

The gifts were presented by Alaska Air Transit’s Lead Ramp Agent, Brandon Esai, a native of Nikolai.  Mille was honored and awed by the beautiful native works.  She said, ”Holy smokes!”  Her words, smile and the twinkle in her eye gave evidence of her gratitude.

Josie Owen, Owner of Alaska Air Transit said earlier, “Since AAT first flew to Nikolai at the invitation of the community nearly 20-years ago, it is an honor to present the award in Nikolai, the first village checkpoint after the mushers’ journeys across the rugged Alaska Range and the Farewell Burn. The Nikolai community has strong ties to Iditarod.”

This is Alaska Air Transit’s sixth year sponsoring the Iditarod and sixth year presenting the Spirit of Iditarod Award.  First presented in 2019 and given to the first musher to reach McGrath, the award will be given to the first musher to reach Nikolai checkpoint starting in 2024.

AAT offers crucial flight support statewide via air charter and provides scheduled service to the Upper Kuskokwin communities of Nikolai, McGrath, Takotna and Tatalina as well as the Prince William sound communities of Tatitlek and Chenega.