Decolonizing Health Care : Emerging Lessons From indigenous Midwifery

Indigenous midwives across Canada are providing exceptional health care to Indigenous women, families and communities through the provision of clinical care that incorporates an Indigenous understanding of health and Indigenous practices. However, midwives are providing care within a system that not only fails to meet the needs of Indigenous people but has, at times, actively contributed to our ill-health. The health disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Canada are appalling; Indigenous people have the poorest health outcomes when compared to any other population in Canada. Colonization, racism and policies of forced assimilation imposed on Indigenous people actively contribute to our poor health outcomes. The theory and practice of cultural safety is intended to improve Indigenous peopleu2019s access to and experience of health care. Cultural safety is an integral part of an improved health care system; however, it is not a significant enough change. A more significant change in approach is needed if the health care system hopes to address the needs of Indigenous women and communities. Indigenous midwives are providing care that promotes the dignity and self-determination of Indigenous people to better meets the needs of Indigenous women and communities. This poster abstract will be based on the work for my Major Research Project for my Master of Arts degree in Gender, Feminist and Womenu2019s Studies from York University, completed August 2018. Drawing on Indigenous research methodologies and using an Indigenous feminist framework, I conducted interviews with two Indigenous Registered Midwives, analyzed key Indigenous health reports and drew on my own experience as an Indigenous midwife working with Indigenous families. This project demonstrates that decolonized approach to care needs to incorporate an Indigenous understanding of health, it needs to be Indigenous-led and sustainable, and it needs to be rooted in the strength of Indigenous women. Along with cultural safety, a decolonized approach to health care has the potential to increase Indigenous self-determination, and improve the health and well-being of Indigenous women, our families, communities and nations.

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