Doula training in Mi'kmaw community hopes to better serve families, rural areas
“'It makes all the difference in the world, having a Mi'kmaw person supporting you'
A doula is a non-medical professional who assists women during pregnancy, labour and after birth.
Julian said most often women will encounter few Mi'kmaw doctors or nurses in the hospital, so having another Indigenous person to provide support could be uniquely comforting.
While the September training isn't specifically from an Indigenous perspective, Julian said having all Mi'kmaw participants means their culture and identity will become entwined in the subject.
"So they are able to kind of share amongst them, and be part of a support network within Mi'kmaw communities," Julian said.
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Paqtnkek partnered with Women's Wellness Within for the program. All participants received scholarship funding.
Martha Paynter, chair of Women's Wellness Within, said their group has been working to diversify the Nova Scotia doula community that is still largely white and centred in Halifax.
So far, they have hosted four other training sessions, including in Eskasoni First Nation and Halifax with a focus on bringing in Mi'kmaw and Black doulas.
Paynter said there's increasing evidence showing people have better health outcomes when their health-care support and providers reflect their identity. A recent study showed Black babies have higher survival rates when they are cared for by Black doctors.
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