Kahnawake’s first baby of the year

Abigail Deer and Dantana Meloche weren’t expecting the latest addition to their family to arrive for a few more weeks – but their little bundle of joy arrived just before 3:30 p.m. on January 5, marking Kahnawake’s first birth of 2026.

“It’s been tiring, but it’s been very, very good, and it’s been going really well,” said Deer.

Baby Brent Tionerahto:kon Deer Meloche weighed in at just over six lbs. and was born at Anna Laberge Hospital.

Deer’s father, Gene Deer, was at the hospital for the birth, and is delighted to be grandpa to a second grandson.

“It went so fast, I went outside in the hallway to wait and within five minutes I heard his crying,” Gene said. “It was definitely an amazing experience.”

His other grandson, Cayden Tesokwen Deer, met his new baby brother this week, and Gene said the whole family is happy and healthy.

“I video chatted with my other grandson and I said ‘Look, I’ve got a baby for you!’ and he gasped and said ‘My baby!’” Gene said. “I said ‘Yep, it’s your baby brother,’ so it’s definitely exciting.”

Seeing her first son interact with his new baby brother has been one of the most special parts of becoming a mom for the second time, Abigail said.

“He’s in love with him. His brother just loves him, whenever he wakes up, whenever he’s back from school, he’s always looking for his brother,” Abigail said. “It’s just exciting to see the way they react to each other.”

Dantana said that he felt his life change the moment his son was born, and that he’s been happy since the day he came home from the hospital.

“It’s a big happy change for me,” he said. “I know 2026 is a good year, because it’s starting off with him being born.”

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