The Longings of the Heart: The Women of St. Luke's Mission Hospital, Pangnirtung, 1930-1972
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/article37399
- Author
- Farrell, Emily Cowall
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Journal of the Canadian Church Historical Society
- Date
- 2004 Fall
- Author
- Farrell, Emily Cowall
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Date
- 2004 Fall
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 2
- Page
- [129]-150
- Notes
- "Blacklead Island [Anglican] mission provided medical care between 1894-1913 and afterward, the Anglican mission would return to Pangnirtung where the first hospital in the Eastern Arctic would be built in 1930 and remain in operation until 1972. This case study examines the place of women within the role of medical care and the spiritual ministry. The subtle impact of the relationship between the Inuit and Anglo-Canadian women who worked at St. Luke's hospital is demonstrated by their participation in adopting cultural components into their ministry and nursing combined with personal relationships as members of the larger community outside of roles or duties" (p. 130). "Recruitment of women for service as missionaries was conducted initially through a process of application managed by the Missionary Society of the Church of England [in Canada] and continued with the Woman's Auxiliary" (p. 133). "Their primary role was to serve as a missionary and nursing was a mechanism to reach the goal of 'winning souls for the Master'" (p. 134). "This study examines two nurses, [Edith Prudence] Hockin (appointed 1931-36, 1940-45, 1962) and Florence Hirst (appointed 1934-1939) during their service at St. Luke's Hospital, Pangnirtung, revealing a view of how changing trends and attitudes toward women in the mission field, nursing care technology and their relationships with the Inuit community influence their role" (p. 134). "St. Luke was the first hospital in the eastern arctic and 'central to the care of some 800 Inuit and white people scattered throughout the region'. The duties of the nurse in charge would include management of the functional operations of the facility, including records, reporting and communication with the Anglican Diocese of the Arctic" (p. 135). "In 1935 Hockin and Hirst eagerly formed the Pangnirtung Woman's Auxiliary (W.A.) Chapter to enlist women and girls into active participation in missionary and social work of the church. Providing a W.A. Chapter was the most important venue available for direct missionary work brought the Inuit women in closer contact with the nurses, removing them from their professional role into accessibility for cultural integration with women in the community" (p. 138). "This is a history of adventurous and resilient people, dedicated to their ideals. In total, 42 women missionary nurses lived and worked at St. Luke's hospital. .... The Inuit informants participating in this study long for the 'caring care' provided by the women who were friends, missionaries and nurses. We know that the history of the relationship between missionaries and natives in Canada is one of conflict, but in this particular case, what stands out is the enduring cultural memory of this mission's medical successes" (p. 145).
- Article, which includes illustrations, is divided into sections: Introduction -- The Anglican Church Mission in the Cumberland Sound 1894-1913 -- Anglican Women Missionaries -- The Mission of Nursing -- The Women's Auxiliary -- In the Community -- The Closure of St. Luke's -- Conclusion.
- Subjects
- St. Luke's Hospital (Pangnirtung, NWT)
- St. Luke's Hospital (Panniqtuuq, NT)
- Inuit - Canada - Anglican Church of Canada
- Women missionaries - Anglican Church of Canada
- Missionaries, Medical - Anglican Church of Canada
- Nursing - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Hockin, Prudence (Edith Prudence), 1903-1991
- Nicholson, Florence (Flossie) Hirst, d. 1974
- Location
- General Synod Archives