Arctic Red River (Aug 28/06) - Longtime Tsiigehtchic chief and prominent member of the Gwich'in community Hycinthe Andre has died at 96. He passed away last Tuesday at Inuvik Regional Hospital.

Hycinthe Andre was the longest serving chief on record, having led the Arctic Red River Indian Band from 1942 to 1980. This photo is from 1993. - NNSL file photo His Life Hycinthe Andre was born on May 14, 1910 at Bernard Creek, the oldest son of Julienne (Jerome) and John Tsal. His brothers and sisters include Marka Bullock, Gabe Andre and the late Tony Andre. He spent most of his life on the land in the Tree River area, the Delta around Nichiitsii dininlee and Tsiigehtchic. From 1923-1925 he worked as a cook on the mission boat to Fort Simpson. He married Eliza Sam (daughter of Lucy and Sam) on July 2, 1928 and in 1942-1943 established a permanent camp at Tree River. He purchased the camp from Bill McNeely who had taken over Bill Clark's store at Travaillant River. From 1942-1980, Andre served as chief of the Arctic Red River Indian Band, and was one of the last traditional leaders. He spoke both Gwich'in Slavey and English and provided a lot of information about how the Gwich'in people used mooseskin boats and moss houses. Andre is survived by his sons, Noel and Cecil, and his daughters, Adeline, Alestine and Agnes. Source: Gwich'in Tribal Council

Friends describe Andre as a hard-working man with a wealth of traditional knowledge.

Peter Ross, director of the Gwich'in Tribal Council (GTC) for Tsiigehtchic, said his death has pained the entire community.

"We shut down our office and flew flags at half-mast. There was only one like him," he said.

Fred Carmichael, president of the GTC, said Andre left a legacy in Tsiigehtchic. He was chief of the Arctic Red River Indian Band from 1942 to 1980, which is the longest mandate on record.

"We have lost a huge part of our history and culture," Carmichael wrote in a prepared statement.

"But at the same time, we are extremely grateful to our Creator that Mr. Andre was a member of the Gwich'in Nation and for his gifts of leadership and traditional knowledge."

At a GTC annual gathering held recently in Aklavik, Chief Andre was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award recognized his talents as "a leader, store operator, gardener, hunter, trapper, fisherman, family man and traveller of the land."

Ross said Tsiigehtchic's cultural centre is also named the Chief Hycinthe Andre Cultural Centre, as a sign of respect.

"People will remember him," he said. "Once a Chief, always a Chief."

Carmichael said Andre was a traditional man, who came from a time when mooseskin boats and moss houses were still commonplace.

With Tsiigehtchic losing such a prominent figure, recreation co-ordinator Jason Shiwak said the hamlet had no choice but to cancel its Canoe Days festival.

"We were originally going to postpone it because of the (plane crash) tragedy," he said.

"But then, when our eldest resident died, we decided to just hold it next year. People are grieving."

Andre's funeral was held Saturday at 4 p.m in the school gym.