(May 4, 2022 – Iqaluit, Nunavut) With the goal of increasing the number of Inuit physicians, the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) have partnered with the University of Ottawa Medical School to secure seats and provide targeted supports to students.
The Government of Nunavut, Department of Health, has secured up to two seats beginning in September 2023. All eligible applicants to this stream are entitled to apply for support from the Government of Nunavut to assist with travel and application costs.
Nunavut Inuit applicants are eligible for enhanced application support, such as in obtaining pre-requisites, through NTI and Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation’s Quvvariarniq Program. Upon admission, Nunavut Inuit applicants would also be eligible for additional ongoing educational support, such as a training allowance, childcare allowance and tutoring.
Applications to the University of Ottawa are due October 1, 2022. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early. Graduates of the Nunavut Arctic College Bachelor of Science in Arctic Nursing may be eligible. Visit https://med.uottawa.ca/undergraduate/admissions to learn more.
Quotes
“I am very pleased to see this partnership moving forward. With the help of NTI and the University of Ottawa, we are working to fulfil the Government of Nunavut’s goal of training and hiring more Inuit Health Professionals. Through this partnership, we can provide Nunavummiut with opportunities for professional employment and improve access to culturally informed care,” said Minister of Health John Main.
“Over the next few years, we would like several cohorts of Nunavut Inuit to begin training towards becoming a doctor. The training and employment of Inuit health care professionals is essential for accessible, safe, high quality Inuktut health care in Nunavut,” said Aluki Kotierk, President of NTI and Chair of the Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation.
Information Session
To learn more about the University of Ottawa’s medical school, the admissions process and financial supports available from the Government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc, please join us for a Zoom information session:
May 26, 2022 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88146155803?pwd=bzNuVzZzYTl6UEk3RDlPVEtrcUpaQT09
Meeting ID: 881 4615 5803
Passcode: 257701
For further information:
Chris Puglia
Manager of Communications
Department of Health
867-975-5949
Malaya Mikijuk
Director of Communications Trainee
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Tel: (867) 975-4900/Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006
Backgrounder
Inuit employment as health care professionals has not changed in Nunavut over the past 20 years.
|
Department |
Date |
Professional
Positions Filled / Total |
Inuit professionals #employed % of Filled | ||||
| Health & SS | March 2001 | 133 / 184 | 15 | 11% | |||
| Health & SS | March 2004 | 190 / 226 | 20 | 11% | |||
| Health & SS | March 2007 | 201 / 349 | 35 | 17% | |||
| Health & SS | March 2010 | 195 / 332 | 25 | 13% | |||
| Health & SS | March 2013 | 203 / 353 | 23 | 11% | |||
| Social Services Dept Separates from Health Dept | |||||||
| Health | March 2016 | 139 / 312 | 08 | 6% | |||
| Health | March 2017 | 168 / 335 | 11 | 7% | |||
| Health | March 2018 | 180 / 349 | 10 | 6% | |||
| Health | March 2019 | 175 / 362 | 15 | 9% | |||
| Health | March 2020 | 189 / 382 | 18 | 10% | |||
| Health | March 2021 | 186 / 391 | 17 | 9% | |||
Source: Gov’t of Nunavut, Dep’t of Human Resources: Inuit Employment Statistics [gov.nu.ca]
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report described the importance of building capacity in health professions so that Indigenous people can revive their capacity to heal themselves and close the gap in health outcomes; Call to Action 23.i.
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls:
- Calls for Justice 7.7, we call upon all governments, educational institutions and health and wellness professional bodies to encourage, support and equitably fund Indigenous people train and work in the area of health and wellness;
- Calls for Justice 7.8, We call upon all governments and health service providers to create effective and well-funded opportunities, and to provide socio-economic incentives, to encourage Indigenous people to work within the health and wellness field and within their communities. This includes taking positive action to recruit, hire, train, and retain long-term staff and local Indigenous community members for health and wellness services offered in all Indigenous communities; and
- Calls for Justice 16.8, We call upon all governments to invest in the recruitment and capacity building of Inuit within the medical, health, and wellness service fields. Training and competency in both contemporary and Inuit medical, health, and wellness practices and methodologies are essential for effective services in these fields.
