Lesley Paulette, a longtime midwifery advocate in the NWT, received her Order of Canada insignia for her decades-long contribution to northern healthcare.
“I’ve just been busy the last 30 years doing the work but not expecting to be recognized for it at this level, so it came as a surprise,” Paulette said.
She was appointed to the country’s highest civilian honour in December.
Paulette said the ceremony in Ottawa on May 15 brought together a largely Indigenous group of recipients, creating a shared sense of the challenges in their respective communities.
“I felt like we all had a sense of connectedness – even though we were in an environment that seems quite disconnected in some ways from our day-to-day realities,” she said.
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“There was an understanding that probably for all of us it hasn’t been an easy journey. We were there celebrating in one another’s accomplishments and that was quite moving.”
Paulette said the ceremony was more informal and intimate than she expected for such a large national event. She said recipients heard directly from Governor General Mary Simon in an address before the investitures and later had a brief opportunity to speak with Simon during a reception.
The ceremony marked the final Order of Canada investiture of Simon’s term.
In 2021, Simon made history when she was sworn in as the first Indigenous person to serve as Governor General of Canada. Her term concludes in June, and she will be succeeded by Louise Arbour.
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Acknowledging the work of many Indigenous midwives and health workers across the country who continue to improve access to care, Paulette said her recognition felt less like a personal milestone and more like a reflection of a profession that still faces gaps in support.
“If it brings some focus or attention into midwifery nationally, that’s a good thing because, as a country, we still need to acknowledge and recognize the value that midwifery brings to our healthcare system and to the lives of people who can receive the services,” said Paulette.
Paulette added that midwifery remains under-resourced in many parts of Canada, particularly in northern and remote communities where access to consistent maternal care can be limited. She said she wants to see continued investment in community-based maternity care.
She said it is important to continue supporting the next generation of midwives in the North because “that’s really the answer to having sustainable healthcare in the North.”
