A woman born and raised in Hay River believes she may be the first Inuk psychiatrist in Canada.
Dr Elycia Monaghan, who recently graduated from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine University in Thunder Bay, said she isn’t certain of that title but could find no evidence of another Inuk psychiatrist in the country, despite extensive searching.
“I feel so fortunate to be able to hopefully be a role model to other Inuit youth,” she told Cabin Radio.
“I remember what it was like growing up as an Inuk kid in Hay River. Sometimes, I wished to see more Inuit and Indigenous people in positions of power and making differences – to have doctors that looked like me and who had experiences like me.
“I just feel so honoured to be doing that and to think that maybe other Indigenous youth will feel the same way, too.”
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Monaghan’s journey to psychiatry has been rooted in the North. In Hay River, she was delivered by Dr Bing Guthrie, one of the last family doctors who practised obstetrics in the community before moving to Yellowknife.
After high school in her hometown she moved to Yellowknife, where she completed both a social work diploma and a nursing degree at Aurora College. It was during her final year of nursing that she applied to medical school, eventually moving to Thunder Bay for her studies.
Monaghan said a desire to create a safe space for patients made her want to pick psychiatry as a profession.
“When I made my transition from social work to nursing, I felt like I was almost leaving a part of my heart away,” she said.
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“Of all the fields of medicine, psychiatry was the best field for me. I just love listening to people. People are just so much more strong and resilient than they know.”
In the long term, Monaghan envisions working at Yellowknife’s Stanton Territorial Hospital, though for now she is keeping her options open.
To Indigenous youth interested in pursuing psychiatry, she said: “Know that you are enough and you’re worthy to belong in these spaces.”
“Don’t be afraid to share your story,” she added.
“Don’t be afraid to tell folks whether you’re going to some medical school down south. Don’t be afraid to tell them about your experiences up north.”
In a news release, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association congratulated Monaghan on her graduation and described her achievements as “impressive.”
