SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Two Yellowknife residents have won millions in the lottery so far this year. To find out how hitting the jackpot has won their lives, Yellowknifer checked up with the winners and their families.

Anastassia Mackenzie holds her $1-million winning lottery ticket at Mac's convenience store on June 27. - NNSL file photo

Anastassia Mackenzie, who is originally from Dettah and now lives in Yellowknife, won a $1 million Lotto Max prize on June 27. Ever since she won, she said, she has been hassled by various people in the community, particularly after a story appeared about her in the paper. "I'm planning on changing my cellphone number," said Mackenzie.

Since picking up the cheque from the lottery commission in St. Albert, Alta. she said the only major purchase she made was buying a car. She still has yet to build her dream house by the lake, which she originally intended to do with the money.

The 25-year-old single mother of two sons is still working her job at Deton'Cho Corporation in the finance department.

"I have a lot more opportunities than I did before," said Mackenzie. "I don't have to struggle, that's for sure."

The winnings have enabled Mackenzie to pay off bills and secure herself for the future.

"That's my number one goal."

She left recently on a road trip to Alberta and British Columbia with her two sons.

Another lottery winner, Joanne Tsetta, won a $20 million jackpot last March. Originally from Yellowknife, Tsetta moved to Edmonton 10 months ago.

When she won the jackpot she told the Alberta Lottery Corporation that she planned to buy a new home and put the money toward her children's education. Tsetta could not be reached for comment. Her cousin Clifford Tsetta told Yellowknifer that she has since bought a house in Edmonton.

"She's doing good," said Clifford.

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