Jessica Klinkenberg
Northern News Services
Monday, July 2, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The extended Blondin family and friends are being encouraged to make a trip to Yellowknife and Ndilo for July 13 and 14.

Ted Blondin, son of George Blondin a Dogrib elder, storyteller and writer, is arranging the family reunion for his father who is 85-years-old.

"We wanted to do something this summer," Ted said of the reunion. The event isn't being held for an anniversary, but mainly because George is one of the eldest members of the Blondin family.

"My father is 85-years-old. He's the oldest family member that is still alive."

Friday will see a social gathering at the Royal Canadian Legion in Yellowknife, which will feature an open mic for people to share stories, Ted said.

Saturday will be a large barbecue at the property of George's sister Muriel Betsina in Ndilo.

"We're starting to fill up the freezers with caribou meat," Ted said.

He said they've already received some interest from family members from outside of town, but he doesn't know how many yet will attend.

"For them to actually agree to come together like this it's a pretty big deal," he said. Some family members would be flying in from Deline, which costs approximately $1000 for the flight.

"The number (of people coming) just seems to grow."

George resides in Behchoko (Rae-Edzo).

His younger sister Betsina resides in Ndilo where the second day of the reunion will be held.

Originally she and George were from the shores of Deline.

"The Blondin's moved to Yellowknife in the '50's. Especially George and his wife and his kids," she recalls.

She said George moved to Yellowknife in order to pull his children out of residential school. She was in a residential school from the age of eight to 16 until her parents moved to Yellowknife as well.

"I have so many nieces, nephews, fourth generation cousins that I've never met. I hope they come," Betsina said.

Ted said that his father will be sharing stories with his family, and other family members are encouraged to share their own stories with one another. The open mic will also be available for anyone that wishes to speak on Saturday.

"I'm looking forward to the excitement of the reunion," Betsina said.