Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 04/98) - While all four territorial hospital's are reporting New Year's babies, the official Northern newborn of 1999 was Brandy Lynn Koaha of Cambridge Bay, arriving into the world at 6:56 a.m. at Stanton Regional Hospital.

Baffin Regional Hospital reported the second birth with Rita Kopalie's 7.5. pound baby boy, Adam, who was delivered at 4:57 p.m. on Jan. 1.

Valerie Furlong of Hay River also gave birth on January 1. At 6:50 p.m. her 8 pound, 1 ounce daughter was born at the H.H. William MacDonald Hospital.

In the Mackenzie Delta, the firstborn arrived at Inuvik Regional Hospital at 1:15 a.m. on Jan. 2.

The hospital reports that Ruby Blake of Fort McPherson led the way when she gave birth to a son, weighing in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces.

Laurie Koaha, who was released from the hospital with her daughter on Jan. 2 says Brandy is not the only one in her family to be a New Year's baby. Her grandmother Jessie Kapolak, on her fathers side, and her mother's cousin, James Aky share her daughter's birthdate as well.