HUMAN

Name: Damian Dennis

Age: 33

Residence: Nikolai, Alaska.

Occupation: City Employee

Years involved with Iditarod: 27

Iditarod Roles: Volunteer/Night Shift Checker

Current Location: Nikolai, Alaska

Date of Photo: March 7, 2022

Temperature: 20 F Outdoors 

What, who or how and when did you first get involved with the Iditarod?

I first became involved with Iditarod back when I was about six, seven years old. When we used to park teams around the school, and I’m 33. It’s been about 20 years, maybe 25. I’ve started out as dog parker, the parking dog, dog games, getting their straw and their hay, dog bags. And then I’ve worked my way up to a night shift checker. So I do the graveyard all night and I’ve been doing that for numerous of years now. 

What is your Why? Why are you here TODAY and involved with the Iditarod?

I am here today and involved with Iditarod because, I’ve always loved helping. I’ve always been a volunteer. I grew up doing it. It’s kind of in my blood, so to speak. If anywhere I go, I’ll go to another checkpoint and help out if needed. But, it’s just something I enjoy doing.

Tell me about just one of your most memorable Iditarod experiences.

One of my most memorable Iditarod experiences was when I got to ride with Ed Eaton back in 2004. Got to be an Iditarider, and that was a blast. I had so much fun. Didn’t know the school was doing drawing for the kids that was eligible to be an Iditarider, and I was in McGrath, out on a school trip at Traditions Week. And they came up to me in class, and said they needed to talk to me. And I thought I got in trouble. And they told me I was going to Anchorage with my parents. I was chosen to be an Iditarider, and I was just like, “Woo, heck yeah, I’m going to town guys, peace out.” I’ve always cherished that me and Ed have taken years back and forth. Every time he came in over at my uncle, Nick Petruska and my auntie Olean’s restaurant. When they used to have it, we would buy burgers back and forth, buy each other burgers. It became one of our things to do. Sure miss Ed.

What in life do you know for sure?

What I know for sure in life is, I’m always going to be here as a volunteer. One year, if I ever get to be a dog trainer for a dog kennel, would be awesome. If I could eventually get into one, come through my home village as an Iditarod musher. That’d be so cool.