Michel Sikyea facts for kids

Michel Sikyea (born June 5, 1901 – died December 21, 2002) was an important Dene elder and a champion for indigenous rights from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. He spent his life working to protect the rights and traditions of his people.

Who Was Michel Sikyea?

Michel Sikyea was born on June 5, 1901. He became an orphan when he was only three years old. He grew up in a mission in Fort Resolution until he was 18. In 1923, he married Rose Benaya (Wennaya).

Early Life and Traditional Ways

Michel Sikyea lived much of his life in the traditional way. He spent time on the land, trapping, hunting, and fishing. His main hunting area was at Moose Bay, which is southeast of Yellowknife. Besides his traditional life, he also worked part-time. He worked for 16 years at Con Mine and for seven years at Giant Mine.

Working and Community Leadership

In 1963, Michel Sikyea moved to Ndilǫ, a community near Yellowknife. He and his wife lived there until 1995. They then moved to Aven Manor, a home for older people in Yellowknife. While living in Ndilǫ, Michel Sikyea was a community leader. He served as both a councillor and an advisor to the council. He was also a signer of Treaty 11. This was an important agreement between First Nations people and the Canadian government. He helped teach others about the treaty and raised awareness about indigenous rights.

The Famous "Million Dollar Duck" Case

In the late 1960s, Michel Sikyea hunted a female mallard duck. This happened outside of the regular hunting season. He was then charged with breaking a hunting rule. After a court trial, Michel Sikyea was fined only $1. However, the government had to pay over $1 million for all the court and legal costs.

Why Was the Duck Case Important?

This court case became very famous. It brought a lot of attention to the important issues of indigenous rights and treaty rights. It showed how important it was to respect the agreements made with First Nations people. The case helped many people understand the traditional rights of Indigenous peoples.

Remembering Michel Sikyea

Michel Sikyea passed away on December 21, 2002. He was 102 years old. The First Nations community of Ndilǫ wanted to remember his important work. They named a road after him. This was to honor his contributions to the civil rights of Indigenous peoples.