RANKIN INLET/REPULSE BAY - The Kivalliq's first arrival of the new year is a healthy baby girl.

Marsha Kringuk of Repulse Bay gave birth to her daughter, Ginovive, at the Kivalliq Regional Health Centre in Rankin Inlet at 5:34 p.m. on Jan. 13.

Ginovive was born weighing six pounds, seven ounces. Both mother and daughter are doing well after the birth.

Marsha Kringuk of Repulse Bay delivered the first baby of the new year, Ginovive, at the Kivalliq Regional Health Centre in Rankin Inlet on Jan. 13. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Kringuk arrived in Rankin on Jan. 3 so she could give birth at the regional health centre.

Little Ginovive came into the world earlier than expected, arriving five days before Kringuk's expected delivery date of Jan. 18.

Kringuk said she never really gave much thought to having the first baby of the region in the new year.

She said she was surprised to learn Ginovive was Kivalliq's first, considering how far into the month it was when she gave birth.

"I never thought Ginovive would be the first baby in the Kivalliq until one of the midwives told me later," said Kringuk.

"I just remember somebody coming into the room and saying she was the first New Year's baby for the Kivalliq later that evening after she was born."

"It was nice to know, but I never really got excited about it or anything.

"They all seemed to be pretty excited about it at the health centre, though."

Kringuk returned to Repulse this past week, where she plans to continue with her education at Tusarvik school.

The 18-year-old single Mom is in Grade 11 and wants to receive her high school diploma.

Kringuk said her parents, Tim and Marie Kringuk of Repulse, were anxious to meet Ginovive.

She said her parents were really excited about the birth of her first child, even though they have a lot of experience in becoming grandparents.

"Ginovive is their 10th grandchild, so that's pretty special," Kringuk said.

"It will be cool to have everyone in Repulse Bay meet my daughter for the first time."