Conference opens participants to possible health care careers

Have you ever wondered how plastic surgeons carry out a facelift? Or stitch up their patients when they’ve completed a procedure? Over 100 Aboriginals from around the country gathered at a conference in Edmonton to get the answers to these questions and help them learn more about careers in the health industry.

“I’m nervous,” said Lacey Whiteduck as she learned how to do stitches on the peel of an orange. Whiteduck and five other women chose to participate in the plastic surgery workshop on March 12, which was led by practicing plastic surgeon Dr. Amanda Fortin.

The Native Women’s Association of Canada hosted the two-day Miyo Machihowin National Aboriginal Health Careers Conference in Edmonton’s Mayfield Inn and Suites.

The conference featured 20 different workshops and speakers to help encourage young Aboriginals to pursue careers in the health industry.

“Canada predicts huge shortages in the health care industry . . . there is going to be a huge crisis in Canada over the next 10 years,” said Erin Wolski, NWAC health director and conference coordinator.

She referred to the abundance of Aboriginals in Canada as an untapped resource.

Wolski, who coordinated the same conference in 2008 in Winnipeg, stressed the importance of Health Canada funding the conference that reaches out to Aboriginals who are 18-years-old or older and at various stages of their lives.

“We have single moms, single dads, kids who already have a university degree but are pursuing a higher level education,” said Wolski.

In order to access the all-expenses paid trip along with access to industry professionals, applicants were required to write a 200-word essay telling the judging panel why they were interested in a job in health care or how the conference would help them attain their goals.

David Kippenhuck, from Charlottetown, Labrador, applied because he wanted to get back in touch with his heritage and meet new people.  The current social work student also wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to be introduced to a variety of health care experts from different parts of Canada.

“I thought it would be really interesting to come out and see perspectives from all around the country. There are some really positive and inspiring people that are doing a lot of great work,” said Kippenhuck.

Wolski is hopeful another Miyo Machihowin conference can take place in 2012, but it depends on funding approval.

“Flights are expensive and a lot of kids come in from Newfoundland and Labrador. It  can be pretty pricey,” said Wolski.

The conference took place on March 11 and 12.

NWAC is a non-profit organization, founded in 1974. As an aggregate of 13 Native women’s organizations from across Canada, NWAC’s mandate is to enhance, promote, and foster the social, economic, cultural and political well being of First Nations and Métis women within First Nation, Métis and Canadian societies.