PURPOSE:
Since time immemorial, First Nation, Inuit, and Metis (FNIM) midwives have held vital knowledge on reproductive health of their communities; including the continuum from birth to end of life.

DISCUSSION:
Across Ontario, approximately 70 Indigenous Midwives are working to restore birth in their communities—some as Registered Midwives, others as community-governed Indigenous Midwives working within the Exemption Clause of the Midwifery Act (1991, c. 31, s. 8(3)).

EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Passionate and committed, FNIM midwives are transforming maternal and child health by providing culturally appropriate care to FNIM families and communities and re-awakening respective cultural knowledge and practices in these communities. Globally, Indigenous birth outcomes are shaped by place of birth, with remote and under served areas linked to limited access to culturally safe care and higher rates of adverse outcomes. Addressing these disparities rooted in a collective experience of colonization requires community-led, culturally grounded healthcare and systemic reform.

KEY MESSAGE:
Join us as we explore the role of the Indigenous Midwifery (IM) Team at Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM). The session will provide an overview of the work undertaken to support the systemic reform and rematriation of birth and the role of the midwife in FNIM communities in Ontario, including: History - the Exemption Clause for ‘Aboriginal Midwives’ (Midwifery Act 1991, c. 31, s. 8(3)), Governing principles guiding the work of the AOM Indigenous Midwifery Team, Governance: Indigenous Midwifery Advisory Circle (IMAC), Association of Ontario Midwives Board of Directors, Indigenous Midwifery Funding in Ontario, Government relations – what is the AOM IM’s role, including negotiations process overview and centralization of Indigenous Midwifery, Engagement and consultation processes with IM’s and community representatives, First Nations Health Transformation: the devolution of healthcare using midwifery as the vehicle to reframe conversations, Challenges: Education, Identity, Ensuring distinctions-based approaches rooted in self-determination integrated throughout all funding and program development processes, Data Governance Poster session 3 (Group B)