Winnie Marie Mabel Noksana was the NWT’s 2026 new year’s baby, born at the Inuvik Regional Hospital on January 1 to Starr Elanik and John Thomas Noksana.
Winnie was eager to snag the title of first baby of the year, making her appearance shortly after midnight despite not being due until January 13.
“My water broke at lunchtime [on December 31] and I had her at 2:40am,” said Elanik, noting she didn’t start having contractions until around 7pm the prior evening.
Winnie was 7 lb 10 oz at birth, and was 54 centimetres long (just over 21 inches).
She was named after her paternal grandmother Glenna Marie, paternal great-grandmother Mabel, and maternal great-great grandmother Winnie.
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Elanik said there were four generations in one room shortly after Winnie’s birth – Winnie, her dad, her naanak (grandmother) and her great-grandmother – making the day even more special for the family.
Other than a bit of jaundice which she is just getting over, Elanik said things have been going very well.
“She’s an easy baby, easier than I thought,” she said.
“We’re all sleeping good. She’s sleeping good. She doesn’t cry as much as I thought she would.”
