Phil Duffy
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jun 08/01) - Michel Sikyea turned one century old Tuesday in a celebration packed with well-wishers at Aven Manor.
Along with those in attendance, birthday congratulations and wishes were extended by Her Majesty the Queen of England, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and the Governor General.
The Dettah Dene Drummers showed up to play a couple of songs in honour of Michel's birthday, which prompted him to get up and prove he could still remember and perform the ceremonial steps.
"It's good to see Michel up and dancing again," said Bobby Drygeese, a member of the drumming trio. "I remember him dancing to our drums for hours."
Michel was orphaned in Fort Resolution at the age of three, and lived at the mission there until he was 18. In 1923 he married Rose.
Michel and Rose will celebrate their 78th wedding anniversary next month.
"I remember when there was only bush, wildlife and natives in the North," said Michel. "There were no schools, no hospitals, no stores, just caribou as far as you could see. That was before the white man arrived in his steamships with his money and tools," he added.
The Sikyeas moved to Yellowknife in 1934. Michel took a job at Con Mine, but only part time so that he and his wife could continue to live in traditional ways trapping, hunting, and fishing at Moose Bay, southeast of Yellowknife.
In 1963 the Sikyeas moved to Ndilo. The main road leading in and out of Ndilo is now Sikyea Road in honour of Michel.
Perhaps the thing people most associate with Michel is he was the one who shot the million-dollar duck.
After shooting a female mallard out of season Michel was hauled into court. Because of his native status he won the case and was allowed to hunt that duck.
Michel was fined $1 and the total cost to the government for the legal proceedings was $1 million.
Until recently the duck could be seen on display on the second floor of the Yellowknife courthouse.
