By Bryan Eneas

Women reclaiming traditional birth practices at Sturgeon Lake gathering

Apr 24, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Ancient birth practices were the topic of discussion at a recent gathering held at the Sturgeon Lake First Nation Community Hall.

Smoke from sage gently wafted around the building as women from across the country gathered to talk about the traditional teachings and practices around childbirth. The discussions were helped along by members of the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives. The organization is travelling across the country hosting similar discussions, aiming to see a plan for an Indigenous midwife position put in place in every community they visit.

“Prior to colonization we always had midwives. We always had women’s helpers and aunties, and Indigenous birth workers. That was just inherent in our community,” Melissa Brown, an Anishinaabe and Dine registered midwife and member of the national council, said. “Because of colonization, birth was removed from our communities and our traditional midwives were criminalized for practicing.”

The modern medical practice of giving birth to a child in a hospital is damaging communities and breaking family ties, Brown said, similar to historical traumas like residential schools or the ’60s Scoop.

“A lot of communities really view midwifery in their communities as something that’s really healing, that will help restore those bonds,” Brown said, adding she thinks Sturgeon Lake is a step ahead of many communities by hosting a gathering to discuss midwifery.

Vise grip driver

Vise grips not a steering wheel: RCMP

14h ago

Patient supports

'Misuse' of free parking passes attributed to cancellation: SHA

16h ago

Golf season approaching

Local golf courses target opening days following late season snowfall

Apr 20, 2024

While sharing knowledge to repair the family bond in Indigenous communities is part of the reason the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives is visiting communities across Canada, they’re also looking to have educational programming made available for those who wish to follow that path.

Shirley Bighead, one of the coordinators for the gathering, said there isn’t any educational programming currently available to people who want to become midwives in Saskatchewan.

“It would appear that most of the provinces have had midwifery training programs. There has not been one here in Saskatchewan, which I think it’s unfortunate,” Bighead said. “I believe it’s up to the First Nations to determine what that program would look like.”

Bighead said Sturgeon Lake is taking part in a research project related to traditional birth teachings. The project tried to find people in Saskatchewan’s North who were aware of the ceremonies around birth and practices of doulas and midwives. She said the research found some people with knowledge of birth ceremonies, but not many who identified as traditional doulas or midwives. She attributed the decline in numbers to a social shift away from births at home towards births in hospitals.

“I honestly believe it’s part of colonialism. The western medical model where you deliver a baby in a hospital was the only acceptable process of birthing,” Bighead said. “Midwives stopped practicing, and that’s really unfortunate. If we have any, they are quite aged, and we need to find out their knowledge before they leave us.”

She said everyone in attendance April 24 had some experience, knowledge or information relating to the birth of children, however, more work needs to be done before Sturgeon Lake implements their own midwifery program.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice Chief Heather Bear offered some opening remarks to those gathered at the community hall. Bear said she hopes to see the traditional and ancient teachings around birth restored in Indigenous communities.

“We don’t know everything, but we gather strength by sharing,” Bear said. “We still have knowledge keepers here. We still have ceremonial keepers here. We still have cultural servants here. They’re not gone. I’m really excited about the move in terms of not only learning about it, but implementing it and teaching our young people.”

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas