Website aims to inspire First Nations people into health careers
A new website is trying to inspire First Nation and aboriginal people in Manitoba to choose a career in the health field.
Launched Thursday, the Manitoba Aboriginal Health Careers website lists some 40 types of health-care careers, explains training and education requirements, connects them with resources, talks about why health careers are important, and posts current job openings.
It also tells the personal stories of some First Nation, aboriginal and Metis health-care professionals in the province though a video-profile section called Success Stories.
“Too many of the high school students I meet do not have any idea of the health career opportunities available to them, they are not dreaming or planning for their future early enough in school," Robert Maytwayashing, aboriginal human resources development officer for the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority, stated in a news release.
"[This] could be the catalyst to change that."
The website, the first of its kind in Canada, is a project of the province's Office of Rural & Northern Health as well as the following seven tribal councils:
- Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council
- Island Lake Tribal Council
- Keewatin Tribal Council
- Southeast Tribal Council
- Swampy Cree Tribal Council
- Interlake Tribal Council
- West Region Tribal Council
“The aboriginal population in rural and northern Manitoba is significant. We know that they are an important part of our current and future workforce,” Wayne Heide, Manitoba’s Office of Rural & Northern Health administrative director stated in a press release.
“We need to ensure they are equally represented in the workforce in the health care sector. The [Manitoba Aboriginal Health Careers] web portal will provide easy access to all the information needed to help you get started.”
Maytwayashing said it’s the reach of the online program that excites him most.
"Whether it’s Tadoule Lake or St. Theresa point, educators and guidance counsellors will be able to utilize the videos in their classrooms," he said.
"The video profiles of the aboriginal health career role models are incredibly inspiring, it’s not just about the success they’ve achieved but the many challenges and obstacles they needed to overcome to get to where they are today in their chosen health career.
"Their message is perfect: 'If I can do it, you can do it.'”
