Grant: Operating Grant - PA: Applying the “Two-eyed Seeing” model to Aboriginal Health

In First Nations communities, giving birth is deeply connected to cultural and spiritual practices, establishing strong roots and a clear sense of belonging for the mother, child and family. In the 1970s, in an effort to reduce infant mortality and morbidity, the Canadian government moved towards hospital deliveries. For women in remote and rural communities, this evacuation policy has meant extended stays outside of the home community, often alone, in urban referral centres resulting in a cascade of negative social consequences. Norway House Cree Nation is a remote, northern community with a strong interest in returning birthing services to the community. This research will explore the social, cultural and clinical feasibility of birth repatriation in First Nations communities, with a specific focus on Norway House. This will be done by exploring the attitudes of primary care staff and the community, the experiences of Norway House women who have left the community to birth as well as the experiences of women who have given birth in the community since prior to 1970 and in recent years, and the clinical feasibility of supporting low risk mothers and their neonates in the community and the subsequent costs of evacuation.