Fort Smith women say they're fed up with doctors' attitudes towards midwifery so they're going to open their own alternative birthing centre independent of the local health board.

Except for emergencies, few babies are delivered at the Ft. Smith Health Centre. In 1995 the Ft. Smith Health Board terminated birthing services because of physicians' reluctance to do obstetrics.

Most pregnant women are sent to Yellowknife. Others deliver at home with the help of midwife Leslie Paulette.

For eight years Paulette and the families who support her lobbied the Health Board to have midwifery included in hospital services.

Paulette says they're tired of waiting. "I just don't think women in the community are prepared to accept an answer that you can't have your babies here anymore." she says. "Enough people feel strongly they are not prepared to all leave which looks like what the Board is saying."

Paulette says the biggest obstacle for midwives is the lack of legislation in the Northwest Territories. Since midwives can't be registered in the North, they can't get insurance.

The alternative birthing centre would be just outside Ft. Smith, but in Alberta where Paulette is registered and insured.

The initiative is supported by the Chief and council of the Smith Landing First Nation and a private foundation in Alberta.