Indigenous midwives vital to revitalizing Indigenous birthing practices, says advocate

When Allie Barton gave birth to her two children, now 15 months and three years old, she opted for care from midwives.

"I really wanted to make sure I had support and I knew that's what midwifery care offered," said the 28-year-old.

Barton, who is Wolastoqey from St. Mary's First Nation in Fredericton, had two midwives, one who is Mi'kmaw from Millbrook First Nation, and the other non-Indigenous. She said they were both great, but it was comforting to have an Indigenous midwife.

"They're able to connect with you on a different level and help guide you through every stage of the labour," said Barton.

She said her first baby was born in hospital and her second was born at home. Her midwives provided her with a birthing pool, taught her different birthing positions and offered her breastfeeding advice. They were also available by phone at any time and for six weeks postpartum care.

Barton works as a registered nurse and said her experience was so great she wants to learn midwifery skills herself. "I think every community should have access to midwifery care," said Barton.

Ellen Blais, director of Indigenous midwifery for the Association of Ontario Midwives, is from the Oneida Nation of the Thames, but didn't grow up there. She was part of the Sixties Scoop, where Indigenous children were removed from their homes and placed with non-Indigenous foster or adoptive parents, and she sees Indigenous midwives as an important step in keeping Indigenous babies in their communities.

"Infants have been taken out of the arms of our women since residential schools and I really feel that midwifery is an intervention in that," said Blais.

She has spent nearly 25 years in Indigenous health care, and though she spent most of her career on the administrative side she helped deliver 200 babies as a midwife. On Wednesday, she will be presented with the inaugural Layton Indigenous Leadership Award in Toronto for her work in advocating Indigenous midwifery.

She said Indigenous midwives work to ensure Indigenous mothers have the right prenatal care and access to their nation's birthing ceremonies, helping revitalize Indigenous birthing practices.

"They can have their own foods, their own medicines and they also get to experience the excellent clinical care that midwives provide," said Blais.

Blais said there are 57 Indigenous midwives in Ontario and estimates there are about 150 across Canada and hopes that number grows.

"We are in community, and we are reclaiming spaces so the moms can have the births they want to have," said Blais.