Arctic College

It's not often that I meet young people in the communities who think about post secondary education, or even finishing high school, but I had the pleasure of meeting two inspiring young women on Friday. Both had moved to Cambridge Bay from their communities and are enrolled at Nunavut Arctic College (this is a link if you are interested in seeing the schools and courses offered). Programs such as traditional fur design and production, camp cook, teacher education, health care and skilled trades are designed specifically for life in Nunavut.

My first patient enrolled in the two year social work program. She is looking forward to gaining an education and bringing it back to her home town to help better the lives of people in the community. I was telling her about the work my cousin does as a violence against women councillor. She seemed almost surprised that there was a need for such a councillor down South, but also motivated and excited to hear about another woman like her who was working in the field.

My second patient was in her early twenties and had two children with her common law partner. (On a side note - no one ever seems to say boyfriend or girlfriend. If they have been together long enough and have children they always refer to their partner as their "common-law".) She is enrolled in her first year of a three year program to become a midwife. When someone is going to have a baby in the communities it is extremely common to be sent to Yellowknife for labour and delivery. Remember that up here there are no permanent doctors, only a health clinic staffed with a couple of nurses (who are incredible, by the way!). She was telling me about her experience when having her two babies. She was sent away, her family was not able to be go with her, she was all alone in an unfamiliar place and had to deliver her children without the love and support of her family and friends. She was so upset when she was recalling this story to me. I can't imagine what it must have been like for a mother to go through that. Her sad experience has motivated her to do something about the situation, to make a difference in her community. After three years, she will go back home with her family. As she says, "I am going to make sure that no one has to go through what I went through".

My spirits have been lifted! Now to brave the cold for my walk home. It's minus 31C and feels like minus 45C!

The Midwifery Program, offered in partnership with the Department of Health and Social Services, prepares graduates to enter into midwifery practice in Nunavut.

The program introduces students to the cultural, spiritual and traditional practices of Inuit midwives and is also designed to reflect the goals, values and ethical codes established as territorial and national standards and regulations.Specifically, graduates will be able to meet standards set by the Canadian Midwifery Regulatory Committee (CMRC) and provide care that is culturally appropriate for and acceptable to the residents of Nunavut.