Fort Franklin (Feb 10/03) - Naomi Yukon's birth was more than a miracle, it was the first step in a family's healing journey.

After the death of an uncle and cousin, the Yukon family is taking solace in the birth of a precious baby girl.

On July 31, 2001 Caroline Yukon received some terrible news. Her brother, 27-year-old Brian Kenny and one other Deline resident -- 25-year-old Ryan Tetso -- had been fatally shot by 21-year-old Jack Betsidea. Betsidea later turned the gun on himself.

The event left the Yukon family grief-stricken, especially then 10 year-old Charity Yukon.

Charity, now 12, travelled from Deline to stay in Yellowknife with her aunt Johanna Kenny -- Caroline and Brian's sister -- after the tragic death of her uncle.

Johanna was expecting a child and Charity was eager to help her aunt. But when the baby, Benjamin Brian Kenny, died of an unknown illness nine days after the death of Charity's uncle, Charity was heartbroken, said Caroline.

While the whole family was heartbroken and found the tragedies "too painful to talk about" Charity took it the hardest, she said.

Caroline, whose youngest child is nine, thought she'd finished having children. But when she saw how sad her family was over the two deaths she decided a new baby would renew hope for the future.

"When I was pregnant with my baby they were so happy for me," she said.

Naomi Agnas Briana Yukon was born Sept. 1, 2002 to a very excited family.

And to honour her uncle Brian she carries the feminine version of his name in hers.

"She's brought a lot of happiness into our family," said Caroline while on a visit in Yellowknife last week.

"She's always smiling no matter what. She is a really bright little girl. She gets really excited when she sees her sister (Charity)," smiles Caroline, adding Charity and Naomi share a special relationship.