Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 07/02) - Michel Sikyea said nobody can live as long as he has - except his wife, Rose. On Wednesday, he turned 101 but some people say he's even older, as old as 105.

"I live like the wind, and that's why I don't die," he said.

Michel Sikyea: "I've never been sick, not once."- Christine Kay/NNSL photo

It would be hard to tell that Sikyea is 101. He is proud of the fact that his hair has not all turned grey and he often points to his head to show it off.

He lives comfortably in his moccasins and plaid shirts. Aven Manor is his home.

Sikyea shares this cottage-like residence with people of all races and loves to tell them his stories.

Every time his name is mentioned the million dollar duck case comes up. Back in the 1960's Sikyea shot a duck outside of hunting season.

He was caught and the case was taken all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada. He won and he still wants that duck.

He saw a white person for the first time when he was four-years-old and says he was the first from his community to go to a residential school.

He learned English from the nuns at the school and can't say enough about knowing two different languages.

At his birthday party on Wednesday, Sikyea listened to some traditional drumming and enjoyed the sun.

"There's nothing better than the sun," he said.

Almost 30 people helped him celebrate. Everyone from family, local chiefs, other residents and staff were there.

They went to show their love and respect. But some went for something else.

"I've never seen a man that old," said a passerby, "there's not many of them around."

He's very proud he's lived so long and brags about his health.

"I've never been sick, not once," he said.

Sikyea says he's going to live for a long time, maybe even 350 years but he knows they won't all be on earth.

In July, he and his wife will be the honoured guests of another party celebrating their 79th wedding anniversary.