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DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
The tradition of having dog sled races around Christmas time has been revived in Fort Providence.

Susan Fleck of Fort Providence heads for the finish line during the six-dog class at the Deh Gah Christmas Sled Dog Fun Race. Fleck finished in fifth place. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The parking lot beside the Snowshoe Inn in the hamlet was alive with the howls, yips and barks of dozens of sled dogs on Dec. 15. The animals strained in their collars as they waited impatiently for the start of the races. Ten mushers participated in the inaugural Deh Gah Christmas Sled Dog Fun Race.

The Deh Gah Dog Mushers Club organized the event. This March, the club held the Dehcho Sled Dog Championships, its first event.

Danny Beaulieu, a founding member of the club, came up with the idea for the Christmas race. It was organized to give mushers in the NWT an opportunity to get together at the start of the racing season, said Susan Fleck, Beaulieu's partner.

New and young dogs

Because it is a fun race, it is a good opportunity for mushers to try out their new and young dogs and young leaders, she said. It's also a good race for rookie mushers. Three rookies, Brandan Tuckey of Fort Smith, Mel Rasmussen-Vandell of Fort Providence and Ray Edjericon of Fort Resolution, entered the race.

Sled dog races used to be part of the Christmas season in some NWT communities. There was always a race in Fort Resolution as trappers came out of the bush for Christmas, said Beaulieu.

Margaret Vandell, a Fort Providence resident, thanked the club for holding the race and making it feel like Christmas because there used to be races at this time of the year in the hamlet.

Two classes raced on Saturday. The 10-dog, 12-mile race went first, following a groomed trail along the Fort Providence access road and then north along Highway 3 before returning. The six-dog, seven-mile race followed the same trail for a shorter distance.

Tuckey was one of eight competitors in the six-dog class. It was the 17-year-old's first race.

"I think I did a lot better than expected," he said.

Tuckey started his own kennel in June after purchasing a number of dogs. He was inspired by a relative who used to have sled dogs.

Tuckey said he likes meeting other mushers. He also enjoys how the dogs get excited before a race just like a human athlete would.

"Once you take off it's a good feeling," he said.

Tuckey finished seventh in the race with a time of 26 minutes, 59 seconds and 61 milliseconds. In a few years he'll be faster, he said. Tuckey already plans to run dogs for his whole life until he can't get on a sled any longer.

The race was also the first for Rasmussen-Vandell. The Fort Providence resident started by helping Beaulieu and Fleck at their kennel, Stepping Stone Kennels, last year.

"I guess the passion just grows," she said.

The race marked the third time Rasmussen-Vandell had been on a sled with the dogs.

"It was a good experience," she said.

Rasmussen-Vandell experienced a few problems during the race, including dogs getting tangled and guiding young dogs in passing other teams. There will be more practising done before the next race, she said.

Stepping Stone Kennels is expected to compete in four races in the new year, including those in Hay River, Fort Resolution, Enterprise and Fort Providence. The second annual Dehcho Sled Dog Championships will be held from March 8 to 9.

The event will be expanded to include a community feast, talent show and dance. Fleck hopes at least 18 mushers, the same number as last year, compete.

Fleck said she was pleased with the turnout for the Christmas race. For a first race with just NWT mushers, it was really good, she said.

"I'm happy this could happen for the people in Fort Providence," said Fleck.

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