Anchorage, Alaska – Veteran musher Jessie Holmes (bib #15), of Odenville, Alabama , was the first musher to arrive at the Kaltag 2 checkpoint at 9:28 p.m. with 13 dogs. In doing so, Holmes claims the Bristol Bay Native Corporation Fish First Award. Iditarod Race Judge, Greg Parvin, and local resident Violet Burnham, wife of longtime Kaltag checker and Iditarod Veteran, Richard Burnham, were in Kaltag to present the award on behalf of Bristol Bay Native Corporation. The award 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 for being the first into Kaltag,” said Jason Metrokin, BBNC President and CEO. “Both dog mushing and fishing are long standing-traditions in Bristol Bay, and we’re excited to honor both with the Fish First Award. We wish Jessie the best of luck and hope they enjoy 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.

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