Knowledge Dissemination - Reclaiming Indigenous Birth

An Indigenous-led research project

measuring the costs and outcomes of obstetric evacuation and Indigenous Midwifery.

Obstetric Evacuation

Removed from home

Indigenous Midwifery

Care close to home

Obstetric evacuation is a policy that requires First Nations and Inuit people who live on reserves or in rural and remote areas to travelto urban hospitals for birth. While not encoded in Canadian legislation, the policy is specified in clinical practice guidelines and is reinforced by the lack of alternatives.

For First Nations people and Inuit, the FNIHB Clinical Practice Guidelines for Nurses in Primary Care outlines the requirement to “arrange for transfer to hospital for delivery at 36‒38 weeks’ gestational age according to regional policy.”

In addition to exceptionally high costs for low outcomes, this policy negatively impacts Indigenous people who desire to give birth in their communities. Research has demonstrated obstetric evacuation causes emotional, physical, and financial stress for pregnant and postpartum Indigenous women and people.

Indigenous midwifery is a culturally appropriate and community-based approach to perinatal healthcare providing support to Indigenous women in their home-communities throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

There are currently eleven midwifery practices in Canada dedicated to providing care in Indigenous Communities. The National Council of Indigenous Midwives (NCIM) represents the interests of Indigenous midwives, midwife Elders, and student midwives across Canada and is a key partner in this research.

There is not one model of care that applies to all communities, as each is unique to their land and culture. Through a scoping review, our team has surfaced these midwifery models of care that have been documented in academic journals.

You can hear more about the experiences of Indigenous midwives by listening to their digital stories.

Digital Stories

The research engaged Indigenous birthing persons to share their experiences of Indigenous midwifery through narratives and digital storytelling. Videos are hosted online and shared widely to amplify unheard voices and extend the tradition of oral storytelling into a technological world.

Publications & Presentations

The research publications and presentations highlight an economic analysis of obstetric evacuation and Indigenous midwifery; recognizes best practices and inform perinatal health policy and programming to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit birthing persons access to reproductive and perinatal healthcare.

National Inuit Midwifery Forum Report

In March 2023, Pauktuutit partnered with the National Council of Indigenous Midwives to host a virtual gathering funded by Indigenous Services Canada. A report of the proceedings and outcomes of the National Inuit Midwifery Forum is now available.

Economic Assessment of Travel for Birth

Obstetric evacuation is a policy that requires First Nations and Inuit people who live on reserves or in rural and remote areas to travel to urban hospitals for birth. This systematic review examines the evidence describing the economic costs of medical evacuation and transportation for First Nations Peoples and Inuit who travel for medical care in Canada.

Research Symposiums

The biennial gatherings bring together leaders, students, artists, philosophers, dreamers, singers, educators, birth workers, researchers, Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Sharers to reflect on the current state of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit maternal-child health and wellness.

Our Research