Nursing the system
Language, experience key strengths for Inuit in health profession
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
RANKIN INLET
Esther Powell of Rankin Inlet represents nurses in Nunavut, the NWT and the Yukon in her role as board of director (BOD) for Nurses North of 60 with the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association (CINA).
Rankin Inlet's Esther Powell lists cultural awareness and sensitivity among the top issues facing indigenous nurses ion March 2, 2017. - photo courtesy of Esther Powell |
Powell, who works with the Rankin healing facility, returned from the organization's annual general meeting (AGM) at the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health in Ottawa, Ont., this past month, which also featured a workshop entitled Real Partnerships, Real Change, How Authentic Indigenous Health Partnerships Improve Health Outcomes for Indigenous Communities in Canada.
Her board of director report for Nurses North of 60 included the sharing of her mission and vision as a representative of indigenous nurses for her jurisdiction, including working together with her nursing colleagues to better the health of indigenous people by promoting the practice of Inuit nursing, as well as raising cultural awareness on Inuit culture, beliefs, language and traditions.
Powell said during the past year she has reached out to all Inuit nurses in Nunavut to advertise her position as their voice and representative, and has encouraged a gathering – through telecommunications if not in-person – to solidify and unify their voices together as indigenous nurses.
She has also let the Inuit organizations in Qikiqtaaluk, Kivalliq and Kitikmeot know there is a need to work together to have a positive impact on overall health among the Inuit population.
"As a CINA BOD, I was invited to the Canadian Nursing Student Association's National Conference (Celebrating Diversity, Breaking Barriers Through the Exploration of Cultural Safety) and was able to successfully provide a presentation on Nursing North of 60 in Winnipeg on Jan. 26," said Powell.
"I co-chaired a webinar on Indigenous Nursing Knowledge: A Call to Action, Regional Perspectives, in which I shared a Nunavut Perspective in Nursing as part of my sharing of indigenous nursing knowledge, that included 47 registrants and 21 participants in November of 2016.
"I provided the ceremonial opening for the AGM by sharing the history of residential school, the impact it has had on our people and our actions to move forward.
"As part of sharing our Inuit culture, I sang in Inuktitut, and also explained the pattern of our tuilik (traditional woman's parka), the history behind it, and why it's designed the way it is."
The association's AGM was attended by dignitaries and presenters from the Canadian Nurses Association, Canadian Federation of Nurses Union, Canadian Nursing Students Association, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Alberta Cancer Prevention, First Nations Health Managers Association, Assembly of First Nations, Tungasuvingat Inuit, Mamisarvik Program and the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority.
Powell was given the honour of introducing presenters on Voices from the Community, which included Tungasuvingat Inuit executive director Jason Leblanc of Labrador, counselor Barb Sevigny of the Mamisarvik Program in Ottawa, and registered nurse Juanita Rickard of the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority.
She lists support in the work field, cultural sensitivity and awareness, and the availability of indigenous knowledge resources as the top issues facing indigenous nurses.
"I feel very supported in my position within the Department of Justice," said Powell.
"And I have always had tremendous support from local Inuit in general, but, from an employer's perspective for nursing, there can be increased support for Inuit nurses.
"This is why it's so important that Inuit nurses gather together to provide a unified voice to our people and to the profession.
"I have heard from a few Inuit colleagues who support my role, and some have expressed interest in the association since I've reached out to them."
Powell said it's urgent for Inuit in health positions to be well-trained, well-orientated, and, most importantly, supported, no matter what their position.
She said Inuit and non-Inuit need to work together, collaboratively and respectfully, to ensure health care is provided to the Inuit population in the most effective way possible.
"The reason it's urgent is because Inuit are the ones who have always been in Nunavut, we work in our language, we are the culture, we practice the traditions and beliefs of Inuit, and we provide a wealth of Inuit knowledge to our non-Inuit colleagues around us.
"Inuit are experts in Inuit knowledge, and we provide a great amount of knowledge to non-Inuit working in the field, who, as nurses, generally have the same goal of providing health promotion and teaching, as well as nursing care, to Inuit.
"There is a painful history of colonization that everyone has now heard about, and the calls to action recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission can come to fruition by working together."
Powell said the biggest advantage to having more Inuit nurses on the job in Nunavut is that they can communicate in their own language of Inuktitut, removing the language barrier.
She said although it's obvious Inuit are in danger of quickly losing their language, those who live in the communities still communicate in a way that sometimes only other Inuit understand.
"Inuit communicate a lot non-verbally, and we usually understand, or recognize, the non-verbal language communicated by another.
"We also have first-hand understanding of the family dynamics of Inuit.
"As local people, Inuit nurses also understand, live with, and appreciate the challenges with the health-care system and medical travel, as well as situations with boarding homes in the south.
"We are able to use our experience to assist us with our decision making when advocating for our patients in the work field."
