Kuujjuaq, Quebec September 19, 2008 – Pita Aatami President of Makivik Corporation has accepted an invitation “with delight” to attend the graduation ceremonies recognizing national certification for two Nunavik midwives.
Aileen Moorhouse and Brenda Epoo from the Inukjuak Maternity Center will be awarded national certification at a Graduation ceremony at Laval University in Quebec City on September 24th.
It means the graduates will be able to practice anywhere in Canada with the exception of some parts of Quebec because of language restrictions. However, the restrictions do not apply to their home region and Nunavik, where their first language of Inuktitut makes them ideally suited to the positions and communities.
“The real benefits of this program are many” added Mr. Aatami, “but it means that more pregnant women will be cared for by first class, highly trained and qualified Inuit midwives in the delivery of their babies.”
Aileen Morehouse and Brenda Epoo, join other trained and recognized midwives working in the region, including three current practicing midwives in Puvirnituq.
Indeed the Puvirnituq center has been a leader in developing midwifery program and setting national standards. It was operating for 13 years before a national certification was introduced in l999.
Mr. Aatami also recognized the early Inuit women pioneers in this program and commended them on their work and long-term dedication. Over the years, the Puvirnituq center has had nearly 24 hundred babies delivered by midwives.
“I am going to make sure that I can attend this graduation at Laval University in Quebec City because it is important that the leadership within all our organizations take time and personally demonstrate our support for people who graduate at all levels of training. Training and education are at the heart of our overall objectives for self sufficiency and realizing the dreams and potential of our land claim and self government initiatives.”
The national mid wife training program demands extensive academic and hands on training and take a minimum of four years to complete
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For more information:
Whit Fraser
Communications Consultant
Makivik Head Office
819.964.2925
w_fraser@makivik.org
Kitty Gordon
Communications Agent
1111, Dr.Frederik-Philips
St-Laurent, Qc H4M 2X6
514.745.8880 ext 215
514.910.0169 cell
k_gordon@makivik.org
