National Aboriginal Council of Midwives Toolkit

Using the Toolkit: A Guide to Structure, Language and Key Concepts

In May 2014, the National Aboriginal Council of Midwives launch a toolkit that has been designed to provide information and activities for Aboriginal communities interested in learning more about maternal, newborn and infant health, and midwifery care.  The toolkit provides both background information and suggested workshops in order to find out information about your particular community.

NACM understands that accessing midwifery care in Aboriginal communities is a complex undertaking.  It includes addressing issues of inter-governmental jurisdiction and access to services, midwifery education, and Aboriginal rights and sovereignty.

NACM recognizes the diversity in Aboriginal communities across Canada.  It is important to take this diversity into account when developing models of midwifery care for Aboriginal peoples and to address the historical, cultural and spiritual realities of each community when restoring midwifery care to Aboriginal populations.

The toolkit is organized into four main sections.  These are:

- Introduction: A Call to Action

- Assessing Current Maternal Health Needs

- Midwifery regulation, governance and models of care

- Developing midwifery services closer to home

 The sections do not have to be read in order, and the toolkit was designed so that the reader can move between sections, depending on their needs

For more information contact :