Indigenous childbearing people and their newborns face negative health outcomes compared to the rest of the Canadian population, which is a result of race-based colonial policies and legislation, such as the Indian Act, Birth Evacuation, and Birth Alerts that continue to affect Indigenous families’ health. Systemic racism breeds racial biases in the attitudes and practices of health care providers and administrators. These biases manifest as centering western perspectives on health, lack of access and refusal of health care services, prejudice, stereotyping and other racial violences that adversely impact Indigenous people’s health. In solidarity, the Canadian Association of Midwives and the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives continue our joint advocacy to grow Indigenous midwifery through federal funding renewals to bring education, services, and birth to Indigenous communities. Collectively and individually, we are implementing anti-racist approaches to our partnerships, policies and offering anti-racist training for midwives, directors, and CAM staff. CAM and NACM drafted an ICM Position Statement on Partnership between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Midwives, which was adopted at the ‘21 ICM Congress. The statement compels ICM and member associations to adopt UNDRIP and will be followed up with an ICM Task Force. NACM has been leading national level dialogues alongside federal, provincial, and territorial leaders to address anti-Indigenous racism in the Canadian health care system. Identifying gaps in Indigenous primary health education practices and policies and creating Indigenous health policy alternatives designed to address the oppression and harm caused by anti-Indigenous racism. NACM aims to work alongside educators to ensure Indigenous health workforce planning is top of mind as a primary strategy towards transforming education and health institutions in the creation of racism-free environments and is working towards implementing various education initiatives. CAM has developed a theory of change focused on equitable access to excellent sexual reproductive and newborn midwifery services for everyone. CAM is working to implement culturally responsive policies and procedures and conducting a review of governance and bylaws using an anti-Racist lens. CAM has launched an anti-Racism book club, pushed back against racist policies on external committees and published position statement on combatting anti-Indigenous Racism. Come, learn from our mistakes, be inspired by the relationships and the anti-racist work that is advancing our profession and better understand your role in being an anti-racist midwife.
