Sandi Howard is the August 2020 featured midwife of the Nominate a Nurse or Midwife campaign!
Sandi is a Registered Midwife nominated for her work in the Northern Health Region of Manitoba.
Jocelyn Andrews, Sandi's nominator, had this to say about Sandi:
She is a wonderful person who advocates on her patients behalf. I have noticed she goes above and beyond for her patients. I have heard positive feedback that she is so patient and very caring. She has a great personality and is very appreciative. I enjoy working with her.
CINA contacted Sandi and asked her about her work as an Indigenous midwife:
Q. How long have you been working in health care? What province/territories do you work in, or have you worked in?
I have worked within the Northern Health Region in Thompson Manitoba for the past 22 years; I worked alongside a primary health care team during my time with the Region. I have been a midwife for the past 7 years where I continue to work in a primary care setting.
In 2006 I was given the opportunity to live and train to be a midwife in the north. I was approached by an Aboriginal Women’s group to apply, they felt I would be a good fit in the program. I began my training in Norway House and completed my degree here in Thompson. The Aboriginal Midwifery Education Degree Program was a first of its kind in Manitoba and was delivered by the University College of the North. Although there were many obstacles to complete my degree, I finished and could not have done it without the help of some amazing midwife mentors and especially my family.
Q. What does it mean to you to be an Indigenous midwife?
I am proud to be a midwife, helping bring babies safely into the world is an experience like no other. I love being able to give families choices when it comes to their care and supporting them through the most vulnerable time of their life. It is most rewarding when you know you have made a difference in their life.
Being an Indigenous midwife and working in a diverse cultural setting over the years has allowed me the opportunity to recognize how vulnerable our women are and how disconnected they often feel. I feel it is my responsibility to teach, encourage and advocate for them.
On behalf of the team at CINA: thank you Sandi for all of your work!
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Do you know of an amazing Indigenous nurse or midwife that you would like to nominate? Check out the campaign page here:
