Dogsled.com: Mushing news, Iditarod, Yukon Quest, sled dog events

Clem is a proud Northern Cheyenne Indian, who at the time, operated the “Time to Eat Café” in Cantwell, Alaska. She loved mixing it up with folks that came into the café. One customer in particular was a dog musher named Lance Mackey. Clem was so intrigued by Lance’s life that she wanted to know more and more. Each time he dropped into the café for a meal they would talk. They quickly became friends. As a former rodeo competitor, Clem was impressed by the similarities between sleddogs and horses. 

One day Clem was showing off a beautiful traditional native vest, hand beaded with custom buttons that she had made. Lance grinned at Clem with his glacier blue eyes “that’s a cool vest Clem, how does a guy like me get one of those?”. Clem replied quickly and rather sharply “Well my dear Lance, I tell you what, if you win the Iditarod, I will make you one”.

Several months later Lance Mackey did just that, he won the Iditarod, becoming the first musher to EVER win both long distance races, the Quest and the Iditarod in the same year. Clem was good on her word, Lance was like family to her by now. She asked a friend to tan her up an exceptional piece of elk hide and she began crafting Lance his very own Cheyenne vest. A gift given for the most accomplished feats, a gift given with true and deep meaning and usually reserved for tribe members. Lance’s race record qualified. It wasn't easy sewing through that tough hide but she did. She even added some details that would be meaningful to Lance. Under each little leather flap was artwork depicting a winning race that Lance had acquired, the Cantwell Classic, the Sheep Mountain 150, the Yukon Quest and of course the Iditarod. When it was done she called Lance up “I have a gift for you next time you are in Cantwell”. Saying it casually so as not to spoil the surprise “I’ll be through that way next week” Lance responded. “What do you have?” he said with some interest. “something just for you, I think you will like it” and she quickly got off the phone.

When Lance walked into the café the following week Clem quietly handed him the vest. Cut from the hide of an elk, all hand sewn and hand beaded. It was beautiful and detailed with such care. Everyone in the café had their eyes on Lance as he slipped the vest over his shoulders. “wow’ Clem, I can’t believe it, I love it” Lance said with immense gratitude. Clem whispered to him “ this is a gift from the heart”.

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