A new national study found that 63 per cent of Indigenous participants experienced mistreatment during childbirth.

As conversations continue following the International Confederation of Midwives’ suspension of its Position Statement on Partnership Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Midwives, we want to uplift stories that reflect the value, strength, and importance of Indigenous midwives across the world.

This weekend, we marked National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to honour the histories, cultures, languages and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Held on the summer solstice, June 21 carries deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous communities.

Yesterday in Lisbon, Portugal at the global gathering of the International Congress of Midwives, we responded to the silencing and erasure of the term “ Indigenous Midwife.”

National Indigenous Histories Month is a time to honour the histories, cultures, languages, knowledge systems and ongoing contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and to reflect on the enduring impacts of colonialism on Indigenous experiences of health care, pregnancy and birth.

Red Dress Day is an annual day of recognition to remember the thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit & gender-diverse people (MMIWG2S+). These women were daughters, mothers, sisters and grandmothers whose absence has left immeasurable voids in families and communities.

Sturgeon Lake First Nation’s Shirley Bighead Birthing and Childrearing Lodge is set to open on April 29 as the first Indigenous-led birthing lodge in Saskatchewan. Community leaders say it needs reliable, long-term funding, so birth can return home and stay home for generations to come. Link in bio.

Today, we recognize International Transgender Day of Visibility. We want to acknowledge First Nations, Métis, and Inuit trans and Two-Spirit birth givers and midwives, whose care, leadership, and presence continue to support families and communities in meaningful ways.

AOM IM team members attended the Indigenous Midwifery Knowledge Sharing Conference, hosted by Six Nations Birthing Centre on March 23–26. The gathering included Indigenous midwives, apprentices, clients and community members to share knowledge on cultural safety, training, funding and collaboration

We’re hiring: Manager, Indigenous Midwifery Join the AOM IM Team to help advance Indigenous midwifery and support this important work in Ontario. See link in bio for full posting and application details.

Sage Thomas, a Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc midwife based in Kamloops, is marking an important milestone as the only currently registered Indigenous midwife in B.C. practising in her home community. Read the full story (link in bio). #IndigenousMidwifery #BringBirthHome

Thinking about becoming an Indigenous midwife? There are education pathways available, including community-based, Indigenous-led programs in Ontario. Explore options and learn more here: 👉 ontariomidwives.ca/education (or click the link in our bio!) #IndigenousMidwifery #BringBirthHome

Agenda now available and details updated! The Indigenous Midwifery Knowledge Sharing Conference hosted by Six Nations Birthing Centre. 📅 March 23–26 Register by scanning the QR code on the poster. Questions: contact Melanie Burning at [email protected] or 519-757-2866.

Registration deadline coming up: February 20 The Indigenous Midwifery Knowledge Sharing Conference hosted by Six Nations Birthing Centre. 📅 March 23–26 Register by scanning the QR code on the poster. Questions: contact Melanie Burning at [email protected] or 519-757-2866.

Updated details for the Indigenous Midwifery Knowledge Sharing Conference hosted by Six Nations Birthing Centre. 📅 March 23–26 📍 MontHill Golf and Country Club Register by scanning the QR code on the poster. Questions: contact Melanie Burning at [email protected] or 519-757-2866.

Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice is hosting a webinar with Senator Yvonne Boyer on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. EST. Learn about Bill S-228 and how you can support this legislation with your local MP and in your community. To register, please email: [email protected]

Six Nations Birthing Centre is hosting a four-day gathering on Indigenous midwifery knowledge, practice and community care at MontHill Golf and Country Club. Scan the QR code on the poster to register - for questions, please contact Melanie Burning at [email protected] #IndigenousMidwifery

Toronto Birth Centre is launching a weekly Live Indigenous Storytime series from Jan 15 to Mar 19 (Thursdays at 1 p.m.). Families are invited to join online for oral stories, book readings and teachings that celebrate Indigenous languages, ancestral knowledge and family well-being. Links in bio.

Read our latest feature on Tamara Cascagnette, Community Engagement & Outreach Specialist with the AOM Indigenous Midwifery team. Over the past year, Tamara has been crisscrossing the province, helping communities explore what it means to bring birth home. www.ontariomidwives.ca/building-pat...

After generations of forced evacuation for birth, Indigenous midwives and communities are bringing birth home across the country. This feature in The Walrus follows Indigenous midwives, families, and community-led education efforts working to restore birth sovereignty: thewalrus.ca/indigenous-m...

This past week, members of the AOM Indigenous Midwifery (IM) team attended the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM) Ensemble Conference.

GNWT has released a What We Heard report on proposed Midwifery Profession Regulations under the HSSPA. The proposal outlines a modernized framework that recognizes Indigenous community-based education pathways and expands scope to better meet community needs. Read more: www.gov.nt.ca/en/newsroom/...

Evacuation for birth separates families from community and culture, creating harm. This Radio-Canada piece shares experiences and calls for supports to bring birth home and strengthen Indigenous midwifery. Read: ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/220... Note: Article is in French

For the first time in over 50 years, a baby was born at home in Kanesatake. The birth took place at home and in community, supported by Indigenous midwives and birth keepers working to reclaim Indigenous birthing traditions. Watch the full story: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6gK... #bringbirthhome

The AOM and IM team stands in solidarity with First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in honouring the children who never returned home, the survivors of residential schools and the countless Indigenous families who continue to experience intergenerational trauma caused by colonial policies.

The Survivors Circle for Reproductive Justice is hosting the Survivors Circle Monthly Webinar: The Truth & Reconciliation of Forced & Coerced Sterilization. Date: Mon, Sept 29, 2025 • Time: 3 PM ET • Location: Zoom (register by email) To register: [email protected]

Read our Q&A with Dr. Karen Lawford, an Anishinaabe midwife from Lac Seul First Nation, about her recent appointment as Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Midwifery at McMaster University - the first CRC position ever allocated to any midwifery field. Link: www.ontariomidwives.ca/bringing-bir...

Kenhtè:ke Midwives are featured in Canadian Patient Safety Week’s All Voices for Safer Care series. Learn how they deliver culturally grounded, whole-person maternal and newborn care, and how strong partnerships support safer care. Read more: www.healthcareexcellence.ca/en/resources...

The SRPC is hosting Rural Reach Indigenous Education Series: Indigenous Women’s Determinants of Health & Illness in Medicine with Dr. Terri Aldred. Thu, Sept 25, 2025 • 8 PM ET • Zoom (link in confirmation email). Details & registration: srpcportal.ca/event-6315256

Supporters of Indigenous midwifery are getting younger! Born with midwifery care, Derek Blais and his son Sebastian love Indigenous Midwives. The future is looking bright!! #bringbirthhome #indigenousmidwifery

What a great time at the Chiefs of Ontario 2025 First Nations Community Wellness Conference. Indigenous midwifery was well represented throughout the conference, with workshops including "Bringing Birth Home: Indigenous Midwifery in First Nations Community Wellness" from our own IM team!

Today is the last day to register for the 2025 Indigenous Milk Medicine Conference! Don't miss out on this virtual gathering rooted in community care, ceremony, and Indigenous first food knowledge passed through generations. Register here: indigenousmilkmedicineweek.regfox.com/indigenous-m...

Great News! Ontario is investing up to $250,000 in the Onkwehón:we Midwives Collective in Akwesasne. This means not only more midwifery services, but the continuation of care that respects and revitalizes traditions that have existed long before provincial health systems ever arrived.

The South Island Indigenous Midwifery Service in BC has had to shut down due to funding cuts, despite reducing child apprehensions by 70% and serving 130 clients with proven outcomes. Sign the Save Our SIIMS letter: win.newmode.net/ncim/saveour... Read more: thetyee.ca/News/2025/07... #SaveOurSIIMS

June 21st marks the summer solstice and National Indigenous Peoples Day. The longest day of the year holds deep spiritual significance, a sacred time honoured for generations. Today we celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples across Turtle Island.

Congratulations to AOM Indigenous Midwifery team member, Diane Simon, on receiving the Harvey E. Longboat Graduate Scholarship! Diane is a Policy Analyst and Mi'kmaw midwife, and she is in her first year of Health Research Methodology PhD at McMaster. Congratulations, Diane! #IndigenousMidwifery

June marks National Indigenous Histories Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultures and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples while engaging in reconciliation work. We are committed to supporting the restoration of Indigenous midwifery practices and bringing birth back to communities

Quebec has officially recognized community-based Indigenous midwifery training. The amendment allows Indigenous midwifery trainees to engage in all professional acts, providing the essential experience to complete certification as fully licensed midwives. Read more www.creehealth.org/historicmile...

For the first time in over 60 years, a baby was born on Kehewin Cree Nation, Alberta, thanks to a community midwifery program that centers traditional Cree birthing practices. Watch this incredible story:: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST1M... Read the full article: www.cbc.ca/news/indigen...

We're excited to share news about Spirit of Birth, a documentary series on APTN Lumi. Host Rebeka Tabobondung (Anishinabe) journeys across Turtle Island to explore how Indigenous midwives and birth workers are restoring traditional practices within their communities. Watch now: aptnlumi.ca/home

May 5 is Red Dress Day, and the AOM & Indigenous Midwifery team stand in solidarity demanding justice By bringing birth back to communities, we advocate for First Nations, Inuit and Métis babies to be born on their own land with Indigenous midwives, creating stronger communities and safer healthcare

🔍 Looking for an Indigenous Midwifery Program in Ontario? Dilico Family Clinic (Fort William First Nation) K'Tigaaning Midwives (Nipissing First Nation) Kenhté:ke Midwives (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) Onkwehon Midwives (Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne) (more below in comments)

Today we commemorate National Indigenous Languages Day. Indigenous languages are fundamental to culture and traditions, having endured despite colonial attempts to eradicate them. The AOM and the Indigenous Midwifery team support language revitalization alongside bringing birth back to communities.

Just found out you're pregnant? Reach out to an Indigenous Midwife today. Your midwife provides complete care throughout pregnancy, including: • Pregnancy and childbirth • Gynecological care • Primary care • Community Education • Cultural Support

Indigenous midwives are not just clinicians and providers of maternity care. They are educators, historians and knowledge keepers, who do the profound work of restoring the ritual and ceremony of birth and through this work they return health and wellness to Indigenous communities.

We're excited to be part of the Chiefs of Ontario Health Forum! Congratulations to Donika Stonefish (Policy Analyst) and Diane Simon (Mi'kmaw midwife & Policy Analyst), who presented "Bringing Birth Home," highlighting how Indigenous midwifery supports community health and intergenerational healing.

Congratulations Laura Mayer, the new Executive Director of the National Council of Indigenous Midwives! With a strong track record in Indigenous governance and a deep commitment to community-led birth services, Laura brings invaluable leadership to restoring Indigenous midwifery across the country.

Knowing Your Rights: You can connect directly with an Indigenous Midwife! No doctor's referral needed - Indigenous midwives are ready to support you on your pregnancy journey. Ready to take the first step? Use our link to find an Indigenous Midwife today near you: www.google.com/maps/d/edit?...

Today we stand with communities across Turtle Island for the Women's Memorial March, honouring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Two-Spirit and Gender-Diverse People (MMIWG2S+). The march calls attention to the ongoing violence and demands sustained, collective commitment to prevention.

Midwifery Care Makes a Difference! Research shows that families who choose midwifery care experience: ✨ More vaginal births, successful breastfeeding, positive experiences 📉 Fewer interventions & complications Healthier starts for families, stronger communities.