Michel Sikyea

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Michel Sikyea (June 5, 1901 – December 21, 2002) was a respected Dene elder from the Yellowknife area who fought for aboriginal rights, and was probably known best for the “million dollar duck.” Michel was on born June 5, 1901, to Sekiye and Noemie Tsatsittchele; he was orphaned when he was three. From there, Michel grew up in the mission in Fort Resolution until he was 18; in 1923, he married Rose Benaya (Wennaya). While he spent most of his life living on the land traditionally: trapping, hunting and fishing at Moose Bay, southeast of Yellowknife, he also worked part-time for 16 years at Con Mine. As well, Michel worked seven years at Giant Mine. In 1963, he moved to N’dilo, where he and his wife lived until they moved to Aven Manor in 1995. During his time in N’dilo, Michel was both a councillor and a council advisor; he also was a signatory on Treaty 11, and raised awareness about aboriginal rights by teaching others about the treaty. The story of the million dollar duck begins in the late 1960’s when Michel shot a female mallard duck out of season; he was subsequently reported and taken to court. The result of this was that he was fined $1, while the government had to pay the bill for the over $1 million in court costs. Thus, he had started some of the fight for aboriginal and treaty rights before such a thing existed, and won. Michel’s contribution to N’dilo is recognized through the community deciding to name the road that leads into N’dilo after him. He died December 21, 2002.