b'of core values, recognizing that goodmoving forward. The event was thethe use of Indigenous medicines for both health and well-being of Indigenousfirst of its kind and resulted in a finalceremony and health issues. This may parents and their babies is crucial toreport that focused on recommendationsalso include: matriarchal teachings on the empowerment of our familiesrelating to increasing education andmidwifery and postnatal care for both and communities.public awareness. woman and child. Indigenous midwives The National Aboriginal CouncilMany of us are aware that the strugglecouldnt agree more. of Midwives works with communitiesfor equity in health continues. ReviewSupporting Indigenous midwifery in and organizations nationally in theirthe reports of any inquiry; the resultsour regional and community govern-plight to advance their vision. They haveare glaring. More recently, the Inquiryance systems is vital to fostering its a valuable relationship with the Asso- into Missing and Murdered Indigenous ciation of Ontario Midwives (AOM),Women and Girls released their finalresurgence. Current mandates exist by whose mission is to advance the clinicalreport, which included a series of recom- the Chiefs in Assembly, via Resolu-and professional practice of Aboriginal/ mendations relating to health: Calls totion 19/16: Support for First Nations Indigenous and Registered Midwifery ingovernment and health-care providers toMidwifery in Ontario and through Ontario. Envisioning midwives leadingrecognize that Indigenous peoples are theAFN Resolution 21-2019: Support for the reproductive, pregnancy, birthexperts in caring and healing themselvesa Greater Investment into the Reclama-and newborn care in the province, theand that health and wellness servicestion of Childbirth. Our hope is to see AOM is committed to implementingare best when designed and deliveredmore programs in communities, more the recommendations of the Truth andby them.parents receiving culturally safe care and Reconciliation CommissionCallsRecommendation 7.4 explicitlymore babies being caught by the loving to Action. states: We call upon all governments andhands of a midwife.In 2015, the AOM successfullyhealth service providers to provide necessaryTo find out more about Indigenous negotiated with the Province of Ontario,resources, including funding, to support the through the Ministry of Health, torevitalization of Indigenous health, well- midwifery or to find an Indigenous provide specific funding for Indigenousness, and child and Elder care practices.midwife, please visit the AOM website: midwifery programs. This allowed forFor healing, this includes teachings thatontariomidwives.ca/indigenous-eight programs to start up and operate inare land-based and about harvesting andmidwifery the following communities:Onkwehon:we Midwives Collective, Akwesasne,Kenhteh:ke Midwives, Tyendinaga,KTigaaning Midwives, Nipissing, Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre, Sudbury,Dilico Anishinabek Family Care,Fort William First Nation,Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre, London,North Channel Indigenous Midwifery, Elliot Lake, andSeventh Generation Midwives Toronto. In addition to these existing programs:Tsi NonweIonnakeratsha Ona:grahsta (Six Nations Maternal and Child Centre), Six Nations of the Grand River, and Neepeeshowan Midwives, Attawapiskat.Earlier this year, the AOMin collaboration with the Chiefs of Ontario and a planning committee consisting of PTO, community and midwifery repshosted an Indigenous Midwifery Summit, coming together with leaders and community health experts to discuss ISSUE 2 2019/20C hIEfS ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazInE l 35'