By Joy Davis, Educational Journalist, IN
Community minded is certainly a trait that describes Middy Johnson of Unalakleet, Alaska. He is the mayor of the city of Unalakleet. Middy also manages the Unalakleet fish processing plant for Norton Sound Seafood Products.
Middy has already traveled the northern route of the Iditarod, but by snowmachine. In 1994 Middy competed in the Iron Dog race. A mechanical failure forced him to scratch. He feels that the dogs will provide a more pleasant pace than the snowmachine.
Middy has 20 years of wilderness survival experience as a volunteer with the Unalakleet Search and Rescue. He has worked in law enforcement for 12 years and was a Magistrate with the Alaska Court System for 4 years. Leadership skills abound as Middy is also a past President of his Tribal Council. He has also coached high school basketball teaching the foundations of teamwork. Middy coached the Unalakleet boys to the class 2 state championship. A few years later he coached the girls to the championship game. Middy said, “I look to get the best out of the people I work with.”
Family is an important influence on his involvement with mushing. His grandfather, Henry Ivanoff was a musher in the 1925 race to Nome to save the children during the diphtheria epidemic. He was much more than just a participant. Henry has the distinction of being remembered as the musher who handed off the precious serum to Leonhard Seppala.
Middy has been involved with the race for many years. Previously he has volunteered to help with the checkpoint in Unalakleet as well as break trail. Middy has two brothers who have completed the Iditarod. His brother, Henry ‘Gus’ Johnson was the first sibling to complete the Iditarod. He owns the medal that was given to his grandfather for his important role in history.
Middy has a kennel of 26 dogs. His Iditarod qualifying races were the Kobuk 440, Two Rivers 200 and the Norton Sound Portage 200. He is looking forward to training this fall and winter. Middy said, “I’ve got some of the best training conditions out here. I’ve got hills. I’ve got flats. I’ve got wind. And I’ve got the coast.”
A new challenge will be fundraising as preparing for the Iditarod is a costly venture. To help with his expenses, Middy was awarded the 2010 Seppala Heritage Grant for $10,000. This grant was awarded for his commitment to the dogs and his love for the land and people of Alaska.
Middy wants to inspire others to accomplish what they set out to do, even when they live in a remote area of Alaska themselves. We need to believe and act upon our dreams.
