I know: George who? George Attla (the Huslia Hustler) was an Athabascan dog musher and trapper who was as famous as any rock star in Alaska and a legend in dog racing circles. He overcame huge odds to achieve lasting local fame, was an inspiration to his people and to those who admire perseverance, determination, and strong work ethic.
I grew up in Anchorage watching him race in the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous dog races in the 50s and 60s. These were a huge event in the long Alaska winters. People came from all over the country to race, and we always rooted for the local boys.
More importantly for me: I was a typically ignorant young person in those years, completely uneducated as to Native culture. For me, the typical Alaska Native was an indigent drunk in downtown Anchorage, and not worthy of a second thought. George Attla showed me that I was wrong in startling fashion. Here was a man who had recovered from a crippling disease and who had a knee fused, racing dogs at breakneck speed over a 25 mile sprint course, three days in a row, and winning on a regular basis. It made me realize that painting an entire culture with a broad brush was not only wrong, but stupid.
He continued to inspire young Natives and everyone else throughout his life, and I’m sorry to see that he’s gone.