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TUKTOYAKTUK - Family and friends gathered with Persis Gruben at Kitti Hall in Tuktoyaktuk on Oct. 20 to celebrate her 90th birthday.

The evening began with a prayer in English and Inuvialuktun, followed by a feast of turkey, ham and traditional foods.

Persis Gruben, right, waits to cut the cake at her 90th birthday party. Gruben is the oldest resident in Tuktoyaktuk. Seated beside Persis is her good friend Jeannie Keevik. The celebration was held at Kitti Hall in Tuk. - photo courtesy of Chuck Gruben

Persis opened her gifts after dinner and greetings were read from government officials, friends and family sent from out of town.

She cut her birthday cake and the children stood before her to sing Happy Birthday.

Traditional drummers and dancers entertained the crowd, Persis and her friend Jeannie Keevik danced along with many family members and friends. All had a good time celebrating her 90th birthday.

Persis Gruben was born somewhere along the Peel River on Oct. 20, 1918 to Sarah and Liman Koe.

Her father passed away when she was three years old. Reverend Whittaker chose Lenny Iglangasak to be Sarah's husband, even though she was Gwich'in and he was Inuvialuk.

He would be a good provider, loving husband and father.

Together they had nine children; five girls and four boys.

Her father's half brother, John Keevik, gave Persis her Inuvialuktun name, Ayounnik.

As a young girl Persis learned Inuvialuktun from her dad because she had to translate her parents' conversations.

She would translate Inuvialuktun from her dad to her mom and Gwich'in to her dad. She taught her mother to speak Inuvialuktun.

Between 1925 and 1930, Persis and her family lived at Pierce Point, Tom Cod Bay, and at Sachs Harbour.

In 1930, Persis went to the Anglican residential school at Shingle Point for three years. Later she was tested on her academic level and was evaluated to be at Grade 5.

Her school had no running water, no electricity, no phones or radio. They did have an outhouse. Older students had to gather and cut driftwood from the beach. Ice and snow were melted for drinking, cooking and cleaning.

The only music to be heard was played on an organ in the church.

Persis' family travelled in the spring hunting caribou and seal along the coast. At Pierce Point her dad set nets for char and hunted seal for dogs.

White fox and polar bears were in abundance at Banks Island when they first arrived there. Children were not permitted to play outside because many polar bears were nearby.

There weren't any caribou only rabbit, seals and snowy owls. Persis said the snowy owls were fat and tasted like chicken.

Persis married Charlie Gruben in March 1937 at Aklavik's All Saints Anglican Church. Together they had 11 children - six boys and five girls, 44 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Persis has seen many changes throughout her 90 years; she has travelled to many places, met many people and made many friends.

She has been a spokesperson for her people, speaking for the love of the land at meetings and conferences, and passing on her knowledge.

Marlene Bailey is Persis Gruben's oldest grandchild. Bailey interviewed her grandmother for this special occasion.

She lives in Inuvik but travels to Tuk whenever she can to visit with her "nan."