“Abinōcī tagosin” (child has arrived): A story of community engagement

Abstract

A newborn child has the ability to create sound and cry as they enter into the physical world. Each moment of birth is a special occasion for all living beings of Mother Earth. Indigenous peoples of Canada and the world have known the significance of what birthing means from a spiritual and holistic understanding. In Saskatchewan, and arguably throughout the world, there is a lack of research on maternal health care policies and procedures which can incorporate an Indigenous worldview led by Indigenous peoples and communities that safely support Indigenous mothers, newborns, families and communities. This project provides the reader with an Indigenous perspective from an Indigenous Registered Nurse and mother who has seen the inequities and the overt systemic racism that occurs not only in maternal health care but throughout the health care system. The mothers and health care providers who supported this work and see a need for changing a system that does not work for all individuals have shared their stories and sacred stories in this thesis. Results/findings from the stories have highlighted that systemic racism and inequities continue to exist in the maternal health care world. It is imperative that the health care system begins dismantling the current system and restructuring a transformed system that works best for all individuals who enter and expect safe, ethical and competent health care. It is with the voices, knowledge and wisdom of my ancestors that I began to establish my voice in hopes that this will benefit the future generations of all our Nations.