Edward Sittichinli (1859 - 1928)

Edward Sittichinli was Gwitch’in from the Mackenzie River area. He was baptized by Rev. Robert McDonald in May 1869, along with twenty-one others including Joseph Kunnizzi and William Vitrekwa.((Lee Sax and Effie Linklater, //Gikhyi: One Who Speaks The Word of God.// Diocese of Yukon, November 1990: 74-79.)) 
 	
Edward married Annie Shadah on 12 July 1884.((www.historymuseum.ca/Gwich’in/storytellers/jim-edward-sittichinli)) Annie was the daughter of Chief Satah (sic). Edward’s father hunted with Chief Satah every winter and Edward’s uncle and Chief Satah arranged the marriage. This happened because Chief Satah had a large family, and Edward was a good hunter. The wedding was held at Fort McPherson and Rev. Canham held the service as Rev. McDonald was out in Winnipeg at the time. When MacDonald returned, he told Edward that he was doing well with reading and writing and that after he had his own family and no longer worked for Chief Satah he could come and learn more to become a Christian Leader.((Lee Sax and Effie Linklater, //Gikhyi: One Who Speaks The Word of God.// Diocese of Yukon, November 1990: 74-79.)) 
	
Edward Sittichinli was interested in learning and sometimes went with Christian Leader John Ttssietla as his assistant. At other times, he went with his brother, Colin Vitshikk, who was studying for the ministry. They all taught at McDonald’s summer teaching camps. Edward was appointed a Christian Leader by Reverend MacDonald in 1896.((Lee Sax and Effie Linklater, //Gikhyi: One Who Speaks The Word of God.// Diocese of Yukon, November 1990: 74-79.)) 
	
In 1899, McDonald received a grant to teach Edward and William Njootli and prepare them for becoming deacons. Edward, his wife, and their six children moved to Fort McPherson and lived in a big log house built by Father Giroux. Giroux was stationed at Arctic Red River and was unable to convert many at Fort McPherson, so the building stood empty in 1899.((Lee Sax and Effie Linklater, //Gikhyi: One Who Speaks The Word of God.// Diocese of Yukon, November 1990: 74-79.)) Sittichinli was ordained in 1903 by Bishop Young, the same day as William Njootli. Annie and Edward had twelve children and but three of them died in childhood.((Lee Sax and Effie Linklater, //Gikhyi: One Who Speaks The Word of God.// Diocese of Yukon, November 1990: 74-79.))

Sittichinli was assigned to the Tukudh people at Lapierre House from 1903 to 1906. He took over the work done by first Henry Venn Geh ts’eh and then by the Reverend John Ttssiettla. Charles Tzikkyi, the Tukudh Christian Leader was Sittichinli's partner and assistant. One year, McDonald wanted Edward to return to Lapierre House when Edward wanted to stay in Fort McPherson for the summer to help his mother-in-law fish and then return in the fall. After that Rev. McDonald did not ask him to do anything again. Edward still did his missionary work, and got his ration, but no pay.((Lee Sax and Effie Linklater, //Gikhyi: One Who Speaks The Word of God.// Diocese of Yukon, November 1990: 74-79.))

Edward was assigned to the Fort McPherson mission from 1907 to 1928. He helped with the church work and took over when the minister was absent. In 1910, Rev. Whittaker left Fort McPherson when he received news that his wife was sick so Edward made a missionary trip to Driftwood River, Old Crow and Rampart House in his place. Edward travelled with his son Lazarus. Old Crow was just three log cabins and a fish camp where John Tizya and his family lived. Edward could not speak English but he baptized many babies and performed three marriages: Andrew Johnson and Mary Tizya, Peter Norberg and Dora Kwatlattyi, and David Lord and Jennie Brule. ((Lee Sax and Effie Linklater, //Gikhyi: One Who Speaks The Word of God.// Diocese of Yukon, November 1990: 74-79.)) 
Edward Sittichinli died in a flu epidemic.((Lee Sax and Effie Linklater, //Gikhyi: One Who Speaks The Word of God.// Diocese of Yukon, November 1990: 74-79.))