Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 23/05) - A team of moms is holding an art exhibition at the legislative assembly next month to raise awareness about breast feeding.

The display, titled Breastfeeding: getting a solid start on life, features art in a variety of media focusing on the benefits of breastfeeding. The organizers are part of Moms, Boobs and Babies, Yellowknife's breastfeeding support group.

"Art is a friendly way to explore ideas and express what's important," said the group's president, Jodi Woollam. "The exhibition will push people to think, which is what art is supposed to do."

Artists are invited to submit art with a breastfeeding theme by Sept. 28, or to bring their work to the opening at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 1.

The exhibition kicks off National Breastfeeding Awareness Week. Also on Oct. 1, moms and babies will participate in the breastfeeding challenge.

Moms are encouraged to breastfeed their babies at 11 a.m. at the legislative assembly to compete with other moms across the country to see which North American community can organize the largest group feeding.

The winning city will be the one with the largest number of breastfeeding babies compared to the local birth rate.

The week will also see information kiosks at businesses around town, staffed by knowledgeable volunteer moms.

"Breastfeeding is not only a healthy thing to do, it's a natural thing to do," Woollam said.