TTHEK'EHDELI/JEAN MARIE RIVER - With two puffs of breath Bella Norwegian extinguished all of the candles on her birthday cake, to the delight of the gathered crowd.

Bella Norwegian, centre, sits with two other elders of Jean Marie River First Nation, Sarah Hardisty, left, and Mary Louise Sanguez during the celebration of her 94th birthday. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Jean Marie River First Nation held a special party on Oct. 29 to celebrate Bella's 94th birthday. Thirty-eight people gathered in the community's gym to wish Bella well and to share in a turkey dinner complete with all of the fixings.

Bella is the oldest living member of the band.

"She's bound and determined she wants to see 100," said Margaret Ireland, one of Bella's daughters.

Bella was born in Fort Simpson in 1915 and spent her early years living in the Hudson Bay compound. Her father William Hope's people came from around Winnipeg, Man., and worked for the Hudson Bay Company. Her mother Bella Kirby was from the Fort Simpson area.

Childhood was an uncertain time when Bella was young. She was the only one out of six children in her family to make it past childhood. Bella's father died when she was six. Her mother and another partner had five more children, only one of whom made it past their early teens.

Bella became linked to Jean Marie River because of the intervention of her grandfather. Bella and her grandfather were close. When Bella was around 17 and he thought he was dying he let it be known he was looking for a husband for her.

"Mom said he was really, really specific what kind of person he wanted," said Ireland.

Among other criteria, the potential suitor had to be a good provider.

Louie Norwegian of Jean Marie River stepped forward and he and Bella were married. After living for a year in Fort Simpson with her family, where their first child Douglas was born, the young couple moved to Jean Marie River.

For many years Bella acted as the midwife for the small community. Ireland said many people born in her generation were delivered by her mother. Bella herself had 10 children - Douglas, Billy, Minnie, Fred, Gladys, Horace, Margaret, Andy and Gladys. The family also included a foster child named Jerry.

Ireland said she's happy to see her mother turn 94, but also surprised. When Ireland was in her late teens Bella was sick.

Ireland was in Yellowknife in 1977 when she got a phone call informing her that her father had died. It was a shock, said Ireland, because it was assumed that Bella would pass first.

Bella still has a clear mind and apart from a severe loss of hearing she's doing well, Ireland said.

Fred Norwegian, one of Bella's sons, said it's great to see his mother reach 94. Norwegian selected some of Bella's favourite old songs to play at the party. Her favourites include the Carter Family's A Little Darling Pal of Mine and Carl Butler's Don't Let Me Cross Over.

In addition to being the oldest living member of the Jean Marie River First Nation, Bella has a large family that includes 25 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.