Fort Smith, N.W.T., senior celebrates 100th birthday with family, friends, and community

A century after her birth on July 3, 1925, in Fort Chipewyan, Alta., Anne True celebrated her 100th birthday in Fort Smith, N.W.T., with three days of gatherings alongside family, friends, community, and local leaders.

True's birthday brought together more than 40 family members from across the country, including Toronto, Portage la Prairie, Man., Calgary, Rocky Mountain House, Edmonton, and Grande Prairie, Alta., as well as Kimberley, B.C., and Yellowknife.

The festivities included a traditional feast with family, a community barbecue at Roaring Rapids Hall, and a fish fry at the Thebacha Campground. It was a heartfelt tribute to a woman cherished for her wit, generosity, and strength.

"[She] ate lots of good food, so she was happy … and she was the centre of attention," said Betty Bird, True's niece. "She had lots of people stop and see her."

Bird said True received birthday greetings from the Governor General of Canada, N.W.T. Premier R.J. Simpson, MLA Jay Macdonald, Fort Smith Mayor Dana Fergusson, and the president of the Fort Smith Métis Council, Allan Heron. She also got a message from King Charles.

"Growing up, the Royal Family was a big part of my family," said Kelsey Heron, True's granddaughter. "So her getting a letter from [the King] at 100 years old, I'm sure meant a lot."

True is a mother of seven children and has 15 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She is a proud Métis woman and a longtime member of the Fort Smith Legion.

Her late husband, Ken True, was often away for long stretches as a career soldier, which meant Anne was left to raise their seven children primarily on her own. Bird said things weren't easy in those days, but True rose to the challenge with strength and humour.

Her son Gordon followed in his father's footsteps, serving with the Princess Patricia's airborne unit, while her son Don is a member of the Canadian Rangers.

In her younger years, True loved playing cards, especially crib, and was a competitive curler who proudly represented the North at the Canada 55+ Games. She stayed active well into her senior years, walking daily and even dancing at seniors' events.

"She loved curling," Bird said. "To this day, she watches Blue Jays [baseball] in the summer and curling in the winter, but she was an active curler for a lot of years."

She's also known for her handmade quilts and the stories she's shared with generations of family members. Bird said her aunt still has a fondness for a cold Labatt Blue beer, which may have been inspired by her husband's years working at the brewery.

"She still loves her beer," Bird said with a laugh.

Heron also remembers her grandmother's strong faith and how that continues to shape her life, recalling that Sunday church visits were always part of True's routine when she came to town.

"It wasn't an option growing up, that was a big thing," Heron said. "I did enjoy it, because it did help me, I guess, get closer to God in a way."

Heron said that despite her grandmother's humility and tendency to shy away from the spotlight, she could tell that the birthday celebration meant a lot to True.

"At first, I don't think she was too keen on the fact that it was all about her," Heron said. "It was the third day that you could tell she was really appreciative of all of it.

"I'm really grateful that I still have her here with me."

Bird said throughout her life, True has been and is still defined by her resilience, love for her family, and her sense of humour — cheeky, unfiltered, and always perfectly timed. Even now, at 100, she still finds ways to make her loved ones laugh.

"I mean, she's the [matriarch] of our family," Bird said. "So every minute that you have with her is a gift."