Epit Nuji Ilmuet (Woman Advisor) of Native Council of Nova Scotia

Epit Nuji Ilmuet is unique in that it supports the needs of pregnant women in the comfort of their homes. The program started in September 1995. Shannon Newcombe, the Program Coordinator, has been working with the project since December 1997, travelling to homes across Nova Scotia to support Aboriginal women living off-reserve in having a healthy pregnancy. Working along with Shannon are Paula Edward, a registered dietitian, and Charmaine Jesty, a facilitator who visits mothers in the Cape Breton region. The program is funded by the Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program, and serves approximately 35 women each year.

In comparison to living on-reserve, off-reserve life can be less supportive for Aboriginal mothers-to-be, as dollars for food are more likely to be spent on rent and utilities. Many program participants are in their early twenties and have difficulties affording the barest necessities, let alone prenatal care. Epit Nuji Ilmuet is offered by the Native Council of Nova Scotia, which serves the purpose of helping Aboriginal people living off-reserve in the province. Participants are either referred to the program or learn of it by word of mouth or through talking with past participants.

Epit Nuji Ilmuet focuses on providing mothers with healthy food to ensure they are well nourished and able support the growth of their baby. When a mother joins the program, the facilitators coordinate a weekly home delivery of 6 L of milk and 2 L of juice by the Farmers Dairy, a dairy cooperative that produces and/or distributes dairy and related products throughout Atlantic Canada. The project also supplies mothers with prenatal vitamins. "A lot of participants say that if it wasn't for the milk, juice, and vitamins we provide, they would not be able to afford them," Shannon explains. If a woman is really low on food, the facilitators will also access the Micmac Benevolent Society food bank to provide a one-time supply of groceries.

The program facilitators begin their day by calling various participants to make sure all their needs are taken care of and to answer any questions they may have. "I always make them feel that if they really need me, I'd do anything I can for them. Like if I need to bring them diapers or if I need to bring food in from home, then I will do that for them," says Shannon. Being Aboriginal herself and a past participant of the program helps Shannon relate to the moms and build a bond of trust with them: "The women are all so nice and you get a nice rapport with them."

To welcome mothers into the program, they are given a gift bag filled with baby supplies. "We bring them a gift to let them know they are welcome to the program and give them the sense that if they need anything, we're just a phone call away." On the first visit, the mothers are introduced to the programs offered by the Native Council and encouraged to attend the prenatal courses offered by Public Health. An important part of the program is making participants aware of the resources that are available to them.

The program facilitators generally see each participant around 4 to 5 times while they are in the program. Paula Edward, the registered dietitian, usually comes with Shannon to the first visit to answer questions about nutrition, assess the mother's diet and provide advice if any improvements are needed. The visits are meant to provide support to mothers, whether it is in the form of advice, education, or just providing encouragement and emotional support.

When a mother has her child, the facilitators will visit the mom in the hospital and bring a gift bag. The gift bag is filled with donated items such as diapers, baby cream and shampoo, coupons and a personalized baby bib that reads "I'm a CPNP baby."

Shannon and Charmaine's passion for helping others is clearly demonstrated through their devotion to the participants of Epit Nuji Ilmuet. With Shannon's motto of "I do for the participants what I would want someone to do for me," it is clear that they truly take the needs of their clients to heart.