George Attla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Attla
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| Born | August 8, 1933 Koyukuk, Alaska, United States
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| Died | February 15, 2015 (aged 81) Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska, United States
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| Known for | Sprint Dog Mushing |
George Attla (born August 8, 1933 – died February 15, 2015) was a famous Alaskan dog musher. He was known as a champion in sprint dog racing. A dog musher is someone who drives a sled pulled by a team of dogs. Attla won many big races during his long career. His racing career lasted from 1958 until 2011. He even wrote a book in 1974 about training sled dogs. It was called "Everything I Know About Training and Racing Sled Dogs."
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George Attla's Racing Achievements
George Attla was a very successful dog musher. He won many important races in Alaska. His skills and his dog teams helped him become a legend.
Top Wins in Sprint Dog Mushing
Attla won the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous Championship ten times. This is a very famous race in Alaska. He also won the North American Open Championship eight times. These wins show how dominant he was in the sport.
- Anchorage Fur Rendezvous First Place Finishes:
- 1958
- 1962
- 1968
- 1972
- 1975
- 1976
- 1978
- 1979
- 1981
- 1982
Competing in the Iditarod Race
In 1973, George Attla competed in the very first Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. This race is much longer than sprint races. He finished in fourth place. This was a great achievement in such a challenging new race.
George Attla's Lasting Legacy
George Attla left a big mark on the world of dog mushing. He is remembered as one of the greatest mushers ever. His story continues to inspire people.
Honored in Alaska
On April 25, 1998, the governor of Alaska, Steve Cowper, made a special declaration. He announced that April 29 would be known as George Attla Day. This day honors Attla's contributions to the state.
Attla in Books and Movies
George Attla's life and career have been featured in books and movies.
- In 1993, a book about him was published. It was titled George Attla: The Legend of the Sled-dog Trail. Lewis "Lew" Freedman wrote this book.
- Attla was also the main focus of a movie. The film was called Spirit of the Wind.
- His story even inspired music. In 2017, a song called "You Got to Run (Spirit of the Wind)" was released. It was a collaboration between Buffy Sainte-Marie and Tanya Tagaq.
