neqa derby - competition and camaraderie with a cause

As published in Fish Alaska Magazine, May 2020

Fishing in Bristol Bay is often a family affair. Multiple generations grow up commercial, subsistence, and sport fishing. David Baldwin and his friends make the journey from Las Vegas to the Nushagak River every year, sometimes bringing kids or grandkids.

“It’s a magical place,” said David. “You float down the river, bounce your rig behind you, look over and see bear and moose. We’ve usually got usually three guys in a boat, and  sometimes all three have fish on. You dance on the boat trying to keep your lines clear of each other. It’s just a thrill.”

Two years ago David took top prize in a new King salmon derby with a 31-pound fish. He earned a cash award and more: bragging rights as the first Neqa Derby winner.

This year’s Neqa Derby will be the summer solstice weekend, June 19-21. Neqa is the word for “fish” in Yup’ik, one of three Native cultures in Bristol Bay. The event benefits Bristol Bay Native Corporation Education Foundation, which provides scholarships to shareholder students. It also funds cultural programs that preserve and strengthen Alaska Native heritage and knowledge.

“When we created the Derby, we wanted a fundraiser that would be fun and bring attention to traditional cultural activities on the land,” explained Aleesha Towns-Bain, Executive Director of the BBNC Education Foundation. “It’s a competition, but for us it’s about honoring our community and bringing together local and visiting anglers, sponsors, fishing camps, and fishing guides to celebrate our students. We’ve also worked really hard to make sure this is a sustainable event that does no harm to this resource.”  

The Derby is operated in partnership with Choggiung Ltd, the Dillingham-based village corporation that also manages the land along the banks of the Nushagak. It intentionally limits ticket sales to just 150 tickets over a two and half day period, and all must be pre-sold. Last year, participants weighed in just 31 fish—a fraction of the total that the commercial and sport fishery yielded.

 “The Derby creates an atmosphere with a lot of camaraderie among the fishermen,” said David. “It’s also a great cause, helping students get an education they may not be able to get otherwise. It can change their lives.”

“Quite honestly, this is probably the funnest way you could support students,” said Tiera Schroeder, a BBNC shareholder in her third year of graduate school. “Being on Native land is really a huge privilege. This is one of the best ways to do it, because you are enjoying the land and giving back, too.”

Tiera was born and raised in Dillingham and has received scholarships from the BBNC Education Foundation. She said she probably could have figured out how to afford school, but their support made it more attainable. “The people at the Education Foundation are like family,” said Tiera. “I feel like they are as committed to my educational success as I am.”

Tiera is now working on her PhD at University of Alaska Anchorage, focusing on clinical community psychology with a rural and Indigenous emphasis. Eventually she plans to return to Dillingham, which she said has a high need for behavioral health services. Even though her studies have taken her away from home, she goes back each summer to commercial fish. She also practices subsistence fishing, using techniques and preparation handed down through generations.

Participants see some of those on display at Neqa Derby headquarters. Marie Paul, BBNC Education Foundation Board Chair, is the master of the fish table. Anglers are encouraged to donate parts of their Kings, like the prized heads, which are given to elders to make favorite dishes like fish head soup, smoked bellies, and salunaq (salted fish).

Many Derby participants stay at Toman’s King Camp, also a family venture started by father/son duo Bob and Jeremy Toman in 1991. It’s a bustling spot on the river that accommodates around 40 guests at a time during the three-week King salmon run. “We built the business as a family-type camp,” explained Jeremy. “It’s a fun fishery, and we make camp fun. We’ve had three generations of people there every year – fathers, sons, grandfathers, granddaughters. Providing a way for all those family members to share something together is one of the things I enjoy about it.”

Andi Hakansan joined Toman’s crew five years ago and quickly became an integral part of the operation, as the “mom” who makes sure everyone has what they need. Bob passed away last fall, so this year’s return will be bittersweet. However, there will be an occasion to celebrate: When the King run is over, Andi and Jeremy plan to get married on the banks of the Nushagak.

Toman’s King Camp was an early sponsor of Neqa Derby, along with Mission Lodge, Alaska Kingfishers, and Bear Trail Lodge. Bragging rights go to the Lodge hosting the winning fishermen. Last year, Toman’s took it.  (Kingfishers reigned the first year.)

First prize is up for grabs this year, but David’s got his eye on it for his grandson Brock. “That would be so cool if he could catch the winning fish,” he said. “The truth is you’ve got to sacrifice time and resources to go and do this. You could go to Disneyland any day of the week, but you cannot match going to Alaska. It’s remote, and thank goodness the internet doesn’t work at camp or on the river. Taking a 14-year-old out of Las Vegas, away from school and his friends, to a place with more primitive conditions, where we get rained on and it gets cold…well, you’ve got to communicate with each other, you’ve got to laugh, and take lots of pictures. If we don’t share this experience with younger generations, that love of the outdoors will be lost, and there won’t be anyone to have the thrill of having done it.”

“It’s a privilege to be on the land and be able to do something that raises funds that allows students to pursue their dreams,” said Aleesha. “We hope people are interested in helping us achieve our mission, and also want to come fish! Bringing in a big King really is the ultimate thrill – especially when you share it with family.” More information on the Neqa Derby is at www.neqaderby.com.