Jody Potts-Joseph Scratches From Iditarod, Wins Praise From Race Officials

 Jody Potts-Joseph Elevated This Year's Iditarod  Race In A Way That's Never Been Seen Before 

She Tied It To Its Historic Origins & Highlighted Native Alaskan Dog Care & Village Culture 

One of Jody's dogs with a colorful blanket at a checkpoint on the Iditarod. (From a nightly news story on KTUU)

Jody Potts-Joseph, who lived in the Copper Valley and came to the Iditarod representing the village of Eagle on the Yukon, has scratched from the Iditarod Race. 

Jody had an exceptional – and very cultural experience. Despite leaving early, she ran the race like a winner – for example, fighting off a charging bison on the trail. Jody urged the wild animal to leave, remembering a tale her grandmother once told her of calming a bear in the Han Gwich'in language.

Jody also dressed her race dogs in traditionally beaded little dog blankets, made for her by Native women friends – and the TV interviews on the trail allowed her to show Alaska and the rest of the country the cultural background of dog mushing. 

Dog races in Alaska stem from two cultures. In the Alaska Native culture, dogs were traditionally used by travelers, who walked the woods with their families. The dogs were originally used as pack dogs, with gear strapped to their backs. 

Later, village dogs were used for spring dog races. In the Copper Valley, there was a large dog race on the Gulkana River, at a now-disappeared lodge across the Richardson from the current Gulkana Village on the north side of the Gulkana River bridge. 

Dogs were also used by incoming Scandinavians who used them on traditional teams in the manner we are now familiar with. 

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The Iditarod (and Alaska Native culture) garnered a lot of press watching Jody Potts-Joseph on TV. When she scratched, the Iditarod posted the following on its Facebook site:

Rookie Iditarod musher Jody Potts-Joseph (bib #32) of Eagle Village, Alaska, scratched from the 2026 Iditarod at 11:19 a.m. today at the Tripod Flats Cabin, located between Kaltag and Unalakleet, in the best interest of her team.

Potts-Joseph communicated her decision to ITC Race Officials via two-way communication, and ITC personnel are assisting her with the safe transport of her 10-dog team to Unalakleet via snow machine.

The Iditarod Trail Committee recognizes Potts-Joseph’s determination, dedication, and sportsmanship throughout this year’s race and looks forward to seeing her back on the Trail in the future.