For most of the day on Thursday, February 29, it looked like Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) wasn’t going to see a leap year baby born.
Then at 10:59 p.m. that night, parents Dana Henry and Zechariah McDougall welcomed their son Murdoch-Makadewigwan-Makwa McDougall into the world, joining his proud big sister, Brighde (age 2).
Baby Murdoch arrived a week early, weighing six pounds, seven ounces and measuring 19 inches.
Mother and baby are doing well and the family is thrilled with the new addition.
Murdoch-Makadewigwan-Makwa (Protector and Chieftain of the Sea black feather bear) is named after his ancestors, mainly his great-grandfather. “The name Murdoch goes back to Scotland’s Highlands and has been passed down for generations,” says Dana. “The reason he is called ‘black feather bear’ is for the clan animal raven on my spouse’s Scottish side, and the bear on my Ojibwe side. We are so proud to give him his Gaelic/Ojibwe name and continue both our tribal traditions for another generation.”
“We plan on celebrating his birthday on February 28th each year, but when it’s a leap year we’re going to have a big celebration!” says Dana.
