INUVIK
Two icons of the Beaufort Delta share more than just the respect and admiration of the community.

Mary Kendi, one of the icons of the Beaufort Delta region, celebrated her 99th birthday in style March 8 at Ingamo Hall. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Mary Kendi, one of the elders of the region, shares a birthday with Inuvialuit Regional Corporation boss Nellie Cournoyea, although it's safe to say Kendi has first claim on the date.

Kendi celebrated her 99th birthday belatedly, but in style, March 8 at Ingamo Hall with Cournoyea in attendance.

It's part of a grand tradition that started several years ago that marks the venerated elder's birthday every year with a tour around the region. It's also the lead-up to what promises to be a truly remarkable celebration of her 100th birthday next year, something that likely everyone in attendance wants to see.

Dozens of people, young and old, turned out for the party March 8, four days after the mutual birthday.

Cournoyea has made a point of celebrating the event with Kendi whenever possible because they are great friends, despite an age difference of more than 20 years.

Cournoyea wouldn't say what her favourite stories are about Kendi. She would only say that some of those shouldn't be told in public, much less to a reporter.

That elicited a gasp of mock surprise and mirth from Kendi, who has retained a firm grasp on her prodigious memory and knowledge of the area. Cournoyea smiled back in return.

Kendi clearly enjoyed the party, which saw several generations of her family in attendance.

She wouldn't comment on whether she felt any older, but the twinkle in her eye suggested she didn't. Kendi let out another gasp as she was asked whether she was looking forward to her 100th birthday party in 2015.

The birthday party tour began several years ago, her daughter Mabel Brown said, although she wasn't certain exactly when it started. She believed it was around Kendi's 85th birthday in 2000.

Brown said Kendi was happy to see all of the people who came to wish her well, particularly the young people.

"She's touched so many lives, and a lot of people appreciate that. Most of the time it's in Aklavik, and twice now we've had it here in Inuvik," Brown said.

"It's coming together really well right now," she said while taking a momentary breather. "It was hard to organize it all and bring her here to Ingamo Hall, but it's coming together now. Her family is here, and there's a lot of people from all over, Fort McPherson and Aklavik."

"People are amazed she's 99, and that she's happy and alert. We're just going to have a good birthday for her today."

Next year, Brown joked, she plans on giving her mother 100 loonies.

Don Ross said he's known Kendi all of his life through family connections.

He was also amazed at how well her mental acuity and sense of humour has been preserved, although Kendi is unable to walk now.

Many people know about one of her more incredible feats of memory that happened about seven years ago.

When a Discovery Channel film crew was in Aklavik trying to locate the grave of Albert Johnson, the Mad Trapper of Rat River, Kendi rescued the project with her encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the region.

The crew, racing against an almost-impossibly tight deadline, had been unable to locate the grave.

Kendi, though, was sought out by filmmaker Dennis Allen, and with no hesitation located the proper spot for the film crew.

Although her contribution was given short shrift in the documentary, it's noted prominently in the accompanying book.

That's just one example of the breadth of knowledge that Kendi possesses. It's also believed she is likely the oldest or second-oldest elder remaining in the delta region.