Funding outcome

Damaging colonial practices, such as residential schools and child welfare policies have interrupted the experience of wellness for Indigenous people by leading to the breakdown of cultural transmission and family structure. In 2018, five Indigenous grandmothers came together to form the Grandmothers' Wisdom Network, a collective of grandmothers with a shared vision to support Indigenous mothers, pregnant women and their children living on and off-reserve in Alberta. Indigenous grandmothers are a valuable source of support for younger generations and keepers of traditional knowledge about family structure, pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood. Supportive early environments including strong families, communities and connections to culture can promote wellness of individuals and across generations. This research will gather the traditional knowledge of the five grandmothers that make up the Grandmother's Wisdom Network with the hopes of using traditional knowledge to strengthen kinship ties and support the best possible life for the next generation of Indigenous children. The knowledge gathered from the grandmothers will be developed into a booklet that contains stories, cultural teachings and ceremonies that will provide guidance about pregnancy and early childhood. It will be passed on to new Indigenous parents to help nurture healthy environments for their children. The booklet will also be shared with Alberta Health Services' Indigenous Maternal Newborn Child & Youth Strategic Clinical Network Standing Committee, and healthcare providers with the aim of raising awareness and improving the care Indigenous people receive during pregnancy and early life when interacting with care providers. This booklet will have an impact from within communities and contribute to important, positive change from other organizations and individuals involved in the health of the community members.