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CORAL HARBOUR - A special ceremony was held to recognize the contributions of a lifelong supporter of traditional midwifery issues in Coral Harbour this past month.

Midwife Nowyah Williams of Rankin Inlet said elder Annie Netser did a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes to help develop the Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) midwifery program.

Nowyah Williams and Rachel Jones present Ayownah Emiktowt, from left, with an appreciation award for the work her mother, the late Annie Netser, did on traditional midwifery issues in Coral Harbour this past month. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak

Netser died from cancer in December 2007.

Williams said Netser's work in gathering information on traditional midwifery issues was invaluable to the program.

"When the Midwifery Association of Nunavut first started, it was recommended for us to start collecting material from traditional midwives," said Williams.

"We gathered at least two people from each region to attend conferences in 2005 and supply material for our educational program.

"Soon after our Inuit Midwifery Gathering in 2007, we had funding difficulty and could only get two elders from the Kivalliq to help gather material.

"Annie (Netser) supplied us with a lot of material and videotape."

Williams said in addition to collecting material, Netser also had a couple of teaching sessions with Rachel Jones, the first Inuk graduate from the NAC program.

She said the appreciation award for all of Netser's work was presented to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"The award will be displayed in the Sakku school showcase in Coral because she was always encouraging the combination of western and traditional midwifery practices.

"She emphasized this approach makes for a stronger midwife.

"Annie would also encourage young people to get involved with midwifery, and we felt we had to let her family know how much work she did behind the scenes that nobody knew about."

Williams said Netser was a strong supporter of bringing birthing back to the communities.

"Annie knew how to deal with emergencies during the birthing process.

"One time there was a pre-term delivery in Coral and the nurses at the health centre were having a hard time getting the baby out, which had died during delivery.

"They asked Annie for help and she had the baby out in about 10 minutes. She gained all her knowledge traditionally from her father."

Williams said the Netser family was very appreciative of the acknowledgement.

She said the award was presented to Netser's oldest child, Ayownah Emiktowt.

"I would have loved to have done this when Annie was still alive, so I could have presented it to her in person.

"The government system seems to be set up so you can't recognize anybody until they pass away.

"There are so many negative things in Nunavut; the efforts of people like her need to be publicized and appreciated.

"Our youth need to be reminded how many positive things happen here."