Rankin Inlet (Apr 12/06) - Nunavut and Manitoba have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop maternity care and midwifery programs in Rankin Inlet.

Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) has a three-year contribution agreement in place with the Department of Health to develop two programs.

Manitoba's Minister of Advanced Education Dianne Gifford and Nunavut Education Minster Ed Picco sign a memorandum of understanding for the development of maternity care and midwifery programs in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Mike Shouldice is the campus director for NAC's Kivalliq campus in Rankin.

He said the first task under the agreement is to develop a one-year certificate program for people wanting to be maternity care workers in birthing and health centres.

Those who obtain the certificate can continue for a second year to earn their midwifery diploma.

"That doesn't mean they're a midwife, but, most likely, in the second year they would be assisting with births," said Shouldice.

"After two years, they could carry their diploma over to the University College of the North in Manitoba for years three and four of a degree in midwifery."

Nunavut's Health department plans to open several birthing centres.

Shouldice said NAC is flexible on where the training will be delivered.

"If a birthing centre for Arviat was on next year's capital plan, for example, we would look at delivering the training in Arviat to prepare for its staffing needs.

"The other way of doing it would be to bring people from other areas to Rankin for the course."

Two health consultants drafted the

regulatory framework, scope of practice and competencies of the two programs.

The detailed course description of the maternity care program is completed and being reviewed by Health and Social Services (DHSS).

Shouldice said pilot testing of the first three courses began in October 2005 with two maternity-care workers from the DHSS.

He said the development and pilot of the certificate course will be completed in June for the first intake of students to begin in September.

"Manitoba is developing a similar culturally-appropriate program called the Aboriginal Midwifery Education program for northern Manitoba communities.

"That program also strongly reflects the culture and practice of Manitoba's aboriginal people in midwifery and maternity care."

Education Minister Ed Picco said Nunavut women have used the services of midwives for millennia.

He said this is the genesis of a program that will lead to certification and, for those who wish to go further, a degree in midwifery that's recognized nationally.

"Inuit Qaujiniajatuqangit will be incorporated into the program as traditional midwifery practices we have seen in the past in Nunavut," said Picco.

"It also means, hopefully, more women in Nunavut will be able to have their babies closer to home.

"Many of our mothers-to-be have to fly out of their communities weeks before their delivery date.

"That causes tremendous stress on the family."

Minister Levinia Brown said she remembers when young mothers refused to leave their home communities.

She said people still ask why they can't have their babies closer to home instead of going to Manitoba.

"At one time, birth certificates became a big issue because babies were being born in Manitoba and the families wanted them to be recognized as babies of the NWT and now Nunavut," said Brown.

"Those were the obstacles and challenges we faced during those days."

Brown, born on the land herself, said Inuit midwives have been around for a long time and she was happy to see health professionals and Inuit work together to develop the program.

"With the collaboration of Manitoba and Nunavut, we're going to bring that traditional knowledge back and the combination of the two also provides a safety net.

"It's nice to have more babies delivered in our home communities, but we also need everything in place so we don't lose any lives.

"We have to ensure the mother and baby are safe."