Nunavik health board looking for more Inuit staff

The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services’s main office in Kuujjuaq. The board says it wants to hire more Inuit staff. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services wants to see more Inuit working within its ranks.

Inuit employment has long been a concern for the region’s major organizations, but at a recent executive committee meeting, board members pointed to the need to ensure more Inuit workers are delivering health care to their fellow Nunavimmiut.

In doing so, the health board, along with Nunavik’s two major health centres — Tulattavik in Kuujjuaq and Inuulitsivik in Puvirnituq — said they want to emphasize the fact that work opportunities are not only limited to nurses and doctors.

“We would like for young Inuit to realize that when choosing their career path the health sector offers a variety of opportunities,” said Elisapi Utungak, chairperson of the NRBHSS.

“It takes a lot of professionals to make sure our organizations function properly, such as archivists, directors of finance, liaison officers, laboratory technicians, mechanics, computer technicians and much more.”

That’s why health officials plan to promote employment and training opportunities for beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, in accordance with its chapter 15, which provides for “special educational programs to overcome barriers to such employment and advancement.”

The health board did not offer details on those programs, although staff have been more active visiting the region’s high schools.

Currently, Inuit make up about 30 per cent of the health board’s overall workforce.

In comparison, the Kativik Regional Government reports and Inuit employment ratios of about 63 per cent, and 30 per cent in management positions.

The NRBHSS is also in the process of recruiting staff across the board, with a new campaign called Perspective Nunavik, which includes promotional material and colourful new guides on living and working in the region.

Anyone interested in learning more about career opportunities in the health care system can contact Donna Davies at 819-964-2222, extension 259.