The P.E.I. health system has taken a formal step to strengthen cultural awareness in front-line care: a new practice directive will require nurses and midwives on the Island to learn about Mi’kmaw culture when they are caring for Indigenous patients.
What the directive does
The directive, introduced with support from Indigenous and regulatory representatives, sets out an expectation that nursing and midwifery professionals will develop knowledge and understanding of Mi’kmaw cultural practices relevant to patient care. It was highlighted at a recent event attended by leaders from the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I., the P.E.I. College of Nursing and Midwifery, and Lennox Island First Nation Health Centre.
Representatives pictured at the event included Bethany MacIsaac, senior health adviser at the Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I.; Melissa Panton, CEO of the P.E.I. College of Nursing and Midwifery; and Shelby Arsenault, an RN and Indigenous patient navigator for Lennox Island First Nation Health Centre.
Why it matters locally
For patients and families, the change aims to make interactions with nurses and midwives more respectful and culturally informed. For health-care professionals, it formalises an expectation to learn about the traditions, perspectives and care priorities of Mi’kmaw people when those patients are in their care. The measure arrives amid broader efforts across Canada to improve cultural safety and reconciliation in health services.
- Who is involved: Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I., P.E.I. College of Nursing and Midwifery, Lennox Island First Nation Health Centre.
- Who it affects: Nurses and midwives practising on Prince Edward Island.
- Intended outcome: Increased cultural knowledge among care providers and more culturally safe care for Mi’kmaw patients.
Practical implications
The directive means practising nurses and midwives will be expected to integrate cultural learning into their professional responsibilities. While the specifics of training delivery and timelines were not laid out at the event, regulatory and Indigenous partners will likely work together to develop resources and supports for clinicians.
| Organisation | Representative (at event) |
|---|---|
| Mi'kmaq Confederacy of P.E.I. | Bethany MacIsaac, senior health adviser |
| P.E.I. College of Nursing and Midwifery | Melissa Panton, CEO |
| Lennox Island First Nation Health Centre | Shelby Arsenault, RN and Indigenous patient navigator |
Health-care providers or members of the public seeking more information should contact the P.E.I. College of Nursing and Midwifery or their local health centre for details about how the directive will be implemented and what learning resources will be available.
The change reflects a provincial-level move to place Indigenous cultural learning within standard practice for nursing and midwifery, signalling an emphasis on culturally safe care for Mi’kmaw patients across Prince Edward Island.
