b'MIIGWETCH! INDIGENOUS MIDWIFERYNIA:WEN!THANK YOU FOR A SUCCESSFUL 3 RDANNUALRECEPTION & AUCTION IN SUPPORT OFNew mom Melanie and baby Elliana, Nipissing First NationOngwehonwe midwife Ashley Lickers with mom Tiffany and baby girlOnJune12,2019over130communityand businessleaderscametogetherforourthirdBringingannualreceptionandauctioneventatthe National Club in Toronto. Morethan$53,000 wasraisedforBirth HomethecampaignforanewhomeforAnishnawbe Health Toronto.Restoring Indigenous midwifery Anishinabe midwife Lisa Bishop, RMDonations from the event were matched by The John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Foundation. P regnancy and birth can becentres. Pregnant people often have toSince time immemorial, maternal care one of the most excitingtravel great distances to seek the essentialand birth belonged to us; we took care of times in ones journey. Theprimary health care that is not avail- our own. Pregnancy and birth were cere-For more information about the campaign for a new home for Anishnawbe Health Toronto, impending arrival of a babyable to them. This is in addition to themonious occasions and when someone or to make a donation, please visit SupportAnishnawbe.ca. is often anticipated and celebrated bypreparation that has to be done for thewas expecting, they were provided pre- family, friends and community alike; thisbirthing process, requiring great detailand post-natal care and were treated is especially so for Indigenous families,and financial forecasting.with dignity and respect. Our original HOSTED BY: VENUE SPONSOR: AUCTION including First Nations, Inuit and Metis.ways have always been intersected with SPONSOR: It is a joyous occasion every time a babyDepending on the location of ascience and spirituality, ensuring a is born into our communities.community, this could mean leavingwholistic model of superior care for both your family for days and sometimesparent(s) and baby. Protocols and rites While this special time is good reasonweeks. Not being home at a vulnerablearound pregnancy, parenting and birth for celebration, once the baby is here,time, and giving birth without support,were all part of the process that included we often discount the tribulations thatcan be stressful and isolating. Asideceremony and health promotion. are attached to accessing maternal carefrom the hardships of travellingfirst as an Indigenous person living in aalone, then with a brand-new infantBirth rites were the foundation of SUPPORTING SPONSORS: PRIZE SPONSORS: PRINTING SPONSOR: MARKETING AND community. As we know, our commun-parents are also at risk to experienceour nationhood. Babies born into our DESIGN: ities are spread vastly throughout ourvarying forms of racism in the health- nations were introduced and welcomed traditional territories. They range fromcare system. Unfortunately, it is notto their families, their clan, their semi-remote/remote, rural and, in somean uncommon experience and manycommunity, in their language, and into cases, completely isolated, hundreds ofIndigenous peoples across Turtle Islandan environment filled with love and kilometres away from town and citycan relate.free of stress. Knowing who we are and ISSUE 2 2019/20C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE l 33 CHI-MIIGWECH FOR SUPPORTING HEALTHCARE AND HEALING FOR THE URBAN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY!'