Grant: Master's Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

"This research proposal is an extension of the CIHR funded project led by Canada Research Chair Dr. Jamie Cidro that is in collaboration with the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (FNHSSM) and Manitoba Indigenous Doula Initiative (MIDI). The project examines the effect Indigenous Doula intervention has on the health outcomes of First Nations mothers and children from three remote Manitoba communities (Cross Lake, Norway House, and Grand Rapids). Currently remote First Nations women are subject to the evacuation policy that requires them to be transferred out of their community late in their third trimester. Evidence has revealed that this strategy has detrimental health effects on both mother and child. Indigenous Doulas with culturally specific training are provided to women throughout pregnancy and for a post-natal period, the cultural guidance women receive is not only for physiological changes that occur prior, during, and after birth, but also to restore community and identity into this sacred time. The Doulas participating in this project undoubtedly have their own experiences to share. The Doulas will be interviewed using the ""conversational method"" to unveil (1) What are the experiences of Indigenous doulas working in their First Nations community? (2) What are the needs, support, and services that Indigenous doulas need? (3) How do these experiences impact their practice and approach to doula care? Each interview will be recorded and transcribed. The transcriptions will be coded in order to look for common themes. The primary objective of this project is to provide an outlet for Indigenous Doulas to share experiences, in hopes this information can be used to improve supports and education for Doulas and aid future Doulas doing this work. "