It was hard to hear the brief speeches made to honour nurse Sheila Mattson at her retirement celebration last week, as boisterous children ran and yelled in the background.
That is probably just how Mattson likes it.
SA国际影视传媒淢y passion, as most people know, is babies,SA国际影视传媒� she said, listing off her four children, five grandchildren and relatives she cares about.
Mattson received awards for 28 years serving the territory. Most of them were spent in Inuvik as a nurse and as a doula, a person who helps women in labour.
Her journey north started in Fort Simpson in 1978.
SA国际影视传媒淚 was only going to stay one year,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚nstead, after a year-and-a-half, I moved north to Inuvik.SA国际影视传媒�
Originally from northern Alberta, she worked at Inuvik Regional Hospital, as well as in social services as a childcare worker, social worker and youth worker, ending her career in maternity and surgery.
SA国际影视传媒淚 actually tried to leave one time,SA国际影视传媒� recalled Mattson. SA国际影视传媒淚 moved south for four months after ISA国际影视传媒檇 been here for two years, but I had to come back. I fell in love with the people, the country. I love to be out.SA国际影视传媒�
She and her husband spend a lot of time travelling on the land and staying in their two cabins. Mattson is proud to call her children Inuvialuit.
Once her husband retires later this year, Mattson plans to spend much of her time in a cabin.
The highlight of her career, as expected, is all the births.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 really amazing,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪ome of the babies that ISA国际影视传媒檝e helped deliver have had babies, so ISA国际影视传媒檝e been in with a second generation and actually a third generation having babies, which is really special.SA国际影视传媒�
ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 even a family in Sachs Harbour who have told her sheSA国际影视传媒檚 looked after five generations of their family, she said.
SA国际影视传媒淭o go through peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 lives like that is an incredible accomplishment and a feeling of gratitude for me,SA国际影视传媒� said Mattson.
Lesa Semmler, manager of nursing units at Inuvik Regional Hospital, was on hand to present the awards to Mattson. Semmler said Mattson was the nurse who took care of her when she was in labour with her son.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e had the experience to have her as a friend, as a coworker (and) as my nurse,SA国际影视传媒� said Semmler.
Mattson added that she has had the privilege of meeting many elders and hearing their stories.
SA国际影视传媒淚 consider myself truly blessed to have had that,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭he circle of life, from birth to death, is a very huge thing.SA国际影视传媒�