A Partnership for Inclusive, Culturally Sensitive Maternal Care
Quinte Health’s recent collaboration with Kenhtè:ke Midwives to provide culturally safe, supportive care for Indigenous families requiring services at Belleville General Hospital, embodies our values of “Stronger Together” and “Value Everyone.”
After meeting with the Kenhtè:ke Midwives at their clinic located on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory last year, Quinte Health Maternal Child Program leaders gained valuable insights into the experiences of Indigenous families. These conversations shed light on intergenerational trauma and the ways in which historic oppression, including the legacy of residential schools, has led to lasting distrust in the healthcare system among many Indigenous people.
Kenhtè:ke Midwives serves Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and surrounding areas, offering specialized care to Inuit, Métis, and First Nations families. Their approach is deeply rooted in the traditions and cultural practices of Indigenous people. From birthing in the hands of their own community, to using Indigenous languages and traditional medicines, Kenhtè:ke Midwives strives to provide culturally respectful, family-centred care that sustains Indigenous ways of life.
The regulatory landscape in Ontario makes the relationship between Kenhtè:ke Midwives and Quinte Health unique. Aboriginal Midwives practice under an exemption outlined in Ontario’s Midwifery Act, 1991, which recognizes the importance of Indigenous midwifery practices as distinct from the midwifery model typically legislated in Ontario. While they are not credentialed through Quinte Health, Kenhtè:ke Midwives are now embraced as part of the care team, complete with hospital name tags and swipe access to foster a more collaborative environment. They are also permitted to be present during procedures like epidurals and C-sections, ensuring that clients can be supported by a familiar and trusted figure during childbirth.
“The birthing experience is a vulnerable time for people,” explained Jennifer Faulkner, Manager of Quinte Health’s Maternal Child Program. “When clients of Kenhtè:ke Midwives require hospital care, we want the midwives to remain with their clients throughout all of it. The goal is to create a feeling of safety and continuity of care for their clients. Wouldn’t you much rather receive comfort from someone you know and feel safe with versus a stranger?”
Quinte Health’s Maternal Child team is working with Kenhtè:ke Midwives to break down other long-standing barriers for the midwives and their clients. Stay tuned for future stories about these initiatives.
“This partnership between Quinte Health and Kenhtè:ke Midwives reflects a shared commitment to providing effective, culturally respectful care for Indigenous families,” said Tracey Giles, Quinte Health Director of Maternal Child and Mental Health. “Together, we’re fostering a healthcare environment where every family feels safe, valued, and understood—demonstrating the profound impact of empathy, respect, and collaboration.”
#Compassion
#ValueEveryone
