Midwifery Education Program

Related: Ryerson Significant Dates

March 25th Newborn Apprehension and Midwifery

MEP student Rachel Bach introduced Cora Morgan, the First Nations Child and Advocate for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. She provided a historical look at the intergenerational and ongoing oppressions faced by Indigenous families in Manitoba. She described the deleterious effects of birth alerts and examples of traumatizing apprehensions of newborns that were not based upon current risk factors but based on outdated policies and practices within the child protection system.

Students, faculty, midwives, and allies were challenged to become agents of change to remove systemic barriers to parenting. Of note, Indigenous parents who are the second generation survivors of child protection are systematically separated from their newborns at birth. The afternoon ended with the making and gifting of moccasins to apprehended newborns.

Cheryllee Bourgeois, Indigenous Midwife and instructor at Ryerson's MEP, welcomed visiting midwives who toured the MEP facilities, and the Toronto Birth Centre on March 27th.  The exchange of knowledge and Indigenous midwifery education strategies was rich.  Using hybrid learning modalities, we hope to continue our partnerships to support the growth of Indigenous midwifery that keeps learning and midwifery close to home across Canada.