Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 20/02) - Three drummers sang a prayer to open a new elders home Monday in Ndilo.

The David Sangris Elders Independence Home was named after a local respected elder.

The building will house five elders and has facilities for one disabled tenant.

"This was really needed in the community," said Gary Cheezie, manager for the Yellowknives Dene housing corporation.

The $600,000 home sits a short walk from the K'alemi Dene School and the community gym.

Built on a partnership between the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA), Diavik Diamonds and the Yellowknives, the home is part of a broader territorial government strategy to build 91 elders units across the territory.

Last May, an identical elders home opened in Dettah.

Ndilo sits on the tip of Latham Island just outside of Yellowknife.

Over the years many elders in the community had to move to Aven Manor in Yellowknife when they could no longer live alone.

Cheezie said the elders can now stay in their own community where they feel most comfortable.

It was a festive affair even though the cake was late.

Former MACA Minister Roger Allen spoke briefly and Weledeh MLA Joe Handley gave a short speech.

Dettah Chief Richard Edjericon and Ndilo Chief Peter Liske gave Cheezie two plaques inscribed with the name of the home and a short history about Sangris.

According to Yellowknives elders, David Sangris lived to be 119.

Sangris died in 1976.

Elders chose his name because of his longevity, said his granddaughter Alice Wilfladt.

He was born into the nomadic life, and witnessed the rise of machines and the space age.

He once said he wanted to live another 100 years to see what is to come.

"I feel so honoured," said Wilfladt who found out about the home's name the day before the opening.

"It was a surprise."

Wilfladt said the new facility sits on the spot Sangris' home once stood and it is the place where he died.

Helen Mackenzie grew up with Sangris and she was with him the day he died.

"He was a good elder," said Mackenzie.

"I enjoyed his company."