The Northwest Territories has delivered its first baby of the 2020s.
The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority confirmed in an email on Friday that Axel Akkak, was born in Stanton Territorial Hospital at 10:15 a.m. on Jan. 1. His weight was 10 lbs, seven oz.
Mother Heather Akkak, who is 24-years-old and from Gjoa Haven was pictured coddling the baby this week. She said in an interview with NNSL Media on Friday from her boarding room at Larga Kitikmeot that she was excited about getting to take her baby home to father Arthur and family to her community in Nunavut.
"We didn't even know about that happening," she said cheerfully when asked how she felt about Axel being born the New Year baby. "I am excited and can't wait to be with my baby."
She said she had been in Yellowknife for about four weeks and added that her stay was comfortable.
"It was good and I got good company and help at Larga," she said. "They are really supportive and they feed us breakfast, lunch and supper and make sure we were comfortable.
"Stanton was okay, but I kind of didn't like the food."
Akkak said she was joined by her mother Rosa who was with her for support and who cut her umbilical cord.
Axel is the fourth child of the Akkak family and will soon join her three other siblings Sadie Rose, six, Annabel Akkak, four, and Arthur Jr. Sam, one.
photo courtesy of the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority
New Years Babies over the last decade at Stanton Territorial Hospital
2010 - Kadric Mujcin
2011 - Jade Joseph Migwi
2012- Rayden Pauly Goulet
2013- Parker Brent Gibeault
2014- Jayden Black
2015 - Kaddoch Stewart
2016 - Thea Adeline Havioyak
2017 - Aila Grace Sumcad
2018 - unnamed, no gender arrived at 12:15 a.m. on Jan. 2.
2019 - Griffin Wesley