Indigenous-led birthing centre opens at Sturgeon Lake First Nation

“I won’t feel so alone. It’ll be so beautiful,” she said.

Two of the four birthing rooms include a large tub for mother and baby. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The large beds are designed for comfort. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Elder Audrey Daniels is the assistant administrator at the building and explained when a baby is born on reserve, there are many cultural practices involved including singing by the family and caregivers.

“So the baby is being born to a warm, loving atmosphere with their own language. That’s one thing they’ll remember as they grow up,” she said.

The facility has been nearly six years in the making and Daniels explained she has been involved since day one. Acknowledging the excitement from other Elders in the community, she also confirmed they’ve had interest from other Indigenous communities in the province including Canoe Lake.

Mid-wife Rosina Darcha is originally from Ghana, but has been in the community for over two years and called Wednesday’s ceremony a humbling moment.

“Nothing beats the fact you are tied to the land where you are born,” she said. “Of course life is full of challenges and when you face those challenges, something must tie you to back home.”

When asked what features and amenities most stand out for her, Darcha said she is fascinated by the bidet in the bathrooms.

“My friend has one and she loves it so much but it only gives cold water. This is warm and every mom that gets the warm cleansing of the perineum after birth is great.”

Stating she was born on the reserve, Chief Longjohn was overcome with emotion. (Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The Lodge is named in honor of the late Shirley Bighead whose passion and dedication was recognized by the numerous dignitaries who spoke prior to the ribbon cutting.

Multiple members of her family were present including her husband Senator Craig Bighead who told paNOW he went to his wife’s grave site on Tuesday.

“I talked to her like she was sitting there and I think she would be very happy and emotional of course,” he said.

Describing the feeling of seeing his wife’s name on the sign, Bighead acknowledged he was overcome with emotion and thinks the facility will benefit not just the community but the surrounding region as well.

To date, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has invested more than $20 million to the project, which includes funding for facility construction, operations, policy development, and programming.

In addition, ISC will be providing over $683,000 annually to support birth-related programs and services within the Shirley Bighead Nihtāwiki and Ohpikihāwasowin Birthing and Childrearing Lodge.

“Being able to give birth close to home, surrounded by family, tradition, culture and ceremony, will not only help mothers to experience deliveries in a less stressful and more familiar setting, but also welcome their children into a safe, welcoming, and loving environment,” Minister of Indigenous Services Canada Mandy Gull-Masty said in a statement. “In addition, facilities such as this lodge provide employment and training opportunities for Indigenous youth, including those from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, who choose to pursue careers in the healthcare industry without having to travel outside of their communities.”

Among the dignitaries present on Wednesday were FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron, Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson, Montreal Lake Cree Nation Chief Joyce McLeod, Prince Albert Grand Council Vice-Chief Chris Jobb and Dr. Lalita Malhotra.

(Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

Indigenous-led birthing centre opens at Sturgeon Lake First Nation

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