On Feb 11-13, 2019, the Association of Ontario Midwives, in collaboration with Chiefs of Ontario, Grand Council Treaty #3, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority, Indigenous Services Canada and the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives hosted a summit to chart the path forward for Indigenous Midwifery in Ontario, with a focus on northern communities.
Historically, midwives held a distinct role within Indigenous communities. However, colonization and assimilation policies outlawed midwifery. These policies forcibly removed children from their family and land, contributing to cultural destruction, family breakdown and poor health outcomes. The common practice of removing pregnant people from their communities and sending them to urban centres for care continues to this day, and has been referred to as a “residential school of medicine”.
Midwifery offers a different path forward. A path rooted in healthy connection to community and land. Midwifery returns birth to communities and supports family connection. Midwifery provides primary care, culturally appropriate care and care close to home, even in the most remote of places. Indigenous midwives are engaged in the profound work of returning birth to their people.
Together, over 120 passionate midwives and community members met to chart out the way forward to contribute to realizing the vision of an Indigenous midwife in every Indigenous community. Indigenous communities need care that honours the critical, restorative and deep healing work undertaken by midwives.