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Project title:
Welcoming the 'Sacred Spirit' (child): Connecting Indigenous and Western 'ways of knowing' to inform future policy partnerships to optimize maternal child health service delivery initiatives in remote Canadian regions
Principal investigator(s):
Thiessen, Kellie R; Whitecloud, Katherine
Co-investigator(s):
Andersson, Neil; Birch, Darlene; Campbell, Rhonda; Cook, Catherine L; Gregory, Patricia A; Griffin, Carol; Haworth-Brockman, Margaret J; Jolin-Dahel, Kheira; Moffitt, Pertice M; Nickel, Nathan C; Phillips-Beck, Wanda; Santos, Robert G; Schultz, Annette S; Scott, Muriel; Van Wagner, Vicki; Witt, Julia C
Supervisors:
N/A
Institution paid:
University of Manitoba
Research institution:
University of Manitoba
Department:
Nursing
Program:
Project Grant
Competition (year/month):
201809
Assigned peer review committee:
Indigenous Health Research
Primary institute:
Indigenous Peoples' Health
Primary theme:
Health systems / services
Term (yrs/mths):
3 yrs 0 mth
CIHR contribution:
Contributors:
Amount:
$810,901
Equipment:
$0
External funding partner(s):
Partner Name:
N/A
Amount:
N/A
Equipment:
N/A
External applicant partner(s):
Partner Name:
N/A
Amount:
N/A
Equipment:
N/A
External in-kind partner(s):
Partner Name:
N/A
Amount:
N/A
Equipment:
N/A
Keywords:
Canada; Community Well-Being; Health Workforce; Indigenous Health; Indigenous Maternal Child Health; Maternity Health Care Policy; Maternity Health Care Programs; Midwifery; Qualitative Research Methods; Quantitative Research Methods
Abstract/Summary:
"When the child is about to arrive, the elderly women performed the delivery and the baby's "otisis" was given to the mother. Elders were part of a welcoming ceremony done later for baby and their family, and the feast prepared by all of the family, friends and community. What's missing [in communities] today is welcoming and honouring the 'gift of life' (teaching from Elder Katherine Whitecloud, MB). Ongoing and historical colonial health practices have systematically diminished the health and well-being of Indigenous communities. One critically important primary healthcare service that shows the impact of colonial relations is maternal/child healthcare. There is the "absence of teachings regarding the 'Sacred Spirit' (child) along with the responsibilities and preparation for 'life-giving' across the childbearing continuum (preconception, pregnancy, birth and post-delivery). Strategies to embrace and include Indigenous knowledge, values, teachings, and stories are essential for a healthy life in Indigenous communities; the absence of these strategies disrupts the relations among youth, young parents, families, and communities. In this study, we explore maternal healthcare delivery systems and services across 4 remote Canadian jurisdictions. Our exploration includes Indigenous and Western world views and aims to improve the health of communities by bringing back the 'Sacred Spirit' [child]. The teaching tells us that achieving this equates to maintaining wellness. We have and will continue to actively engage Indigenous and non-Indigenous members in 4 remote Canadian jurisdictions each involved in delivering or receiving maternal care. Data sources include interviews, focus groups [story-telling], and document analysis. The outcome will be identification of maternity care delivery models that are integrated, cost-efficient, culturally appropriate, and effectively supporting persons to maintain health and wellness within their own community.
Version:
20250311.1