Gatineau - Minister of State (Public Health) Dr. Carolyn Bennett, on behalf of Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, today presented two Awards of Excellence in Nursing to nurses serving First Nations and Inuit communities. The awards were presented to Edith Martel and Ada Benoit during a ceremony at the Museum of Civilization , as part of National Nursing Week. "Congratulations to Edith Martel and Ada Benoit for their commitment to their profession which has made them deserving candidates of these Awards of Excellence," said Minister Bennett. "Their outstanding contributions to improving the health of Aboriginal people and to advancing the goals of the nursing profession is more than worthy of the recognition we are giving them today." Edith Martel is a community health nurse in Ontario and Ada Benoit is a nurse practitioner and wellness coordinator for the Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River , Newfoundland . Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch launched the Awards of Excellence in Nursing in 2003 to recognize community health nurses who have made outstanding contributions to First Nations and Inuit communities. The branch employs about 800 nurses, primarily in First Nations communities south of the 60 0 parallel, and works closely with another 600 nurses who are directly employed by communities. Health Canada recognizes the hard work of all of Canada 's nurses and encourages Canadians to show their appreciation during National Nursing Week. This year's recipients exemplify quality and commitment to wellness and to improving the health system in Canada . Their contribution to Aboriginal communities and to the nursing profession is outstanding. Nurses are key players in helping the Government of Canada deliver on its commitment to address the gap in life chances between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Canada More information on this year's recipients: Edith Martel Edith Martel has spent the last 28 years working as a nurse in First Nations communities. In every place she has been, she has made an effort to learn about the local language and culture. In 1977, Martel began her career with Health Canada 's Medical Services Branch--the forerunner of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch--as a community health nurse in Island Lake , Manitoba . In addition to her regular duties there, she helped to train other nurses. Since 1986, she has worked for the Muncey Health Centre in Muncey , Ontario . Now the nurse in charge, she is responsible for providing health programs for the two communities served by the centre. Some of her recent interests include HIV awareness and AIDS. Martel continues to mentor young nurses and promote health careers in First Nations. Ada Benoit Ada Benoit has been a nurse since 1988. For the past 13 years, she has worked in her home community, the Miawpukek First Nation in Conne River , Newfoundland . She is currently the nurse practitioner and wellness coordinator for Conne River 's health and social services agency. Ada Benoit is responsible for the coordination and delivery of all health promotion and illness prevention programs. The women's clinic which she manages has one of the highest rates in the province for cervical cancer screening. She is also involved in nursing education, tobacco control and diabetes programs at the local and provincial levels. Benoit has served two terms on the board of directors of the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada and is considered by many to be a role model for Aboriginal nurses. -30- Media Enquiries: Paul Duchesne Health Canada (613) 954-4807 Tricia Geddes Office of the Minister of State (Public Health) (613) 941-8081 Public Enquiries: (613) 957-2991
