This document summarizes a presentation on Inuit knowledge in birthing practices. It discusses the Irnisuksiiniq – Inuit Midwifery Network, which aims to return birthing to Inuit communities and reintegrate traditional knowledge. It provides an overview of audio and video clips from elders and maternity care providers about traditional practices. It also describes a Nunavik DVD and Nunavut midwifery program vignette showcasing traditional birthing knowledge and evaluations of an Inuit maternity care TV program that highlighted the importance of traditional midwifery.

2. National Aboriginal Health Organization 2009
Conference - Ottawa
Nov. 25, 2009
Inuit knowledge in birthing practice

3. Inuit knowledge in birthing practice
Summary of presentation
• Overview of Inuit Tuttarvingat initiatives – 3:00 min.
• Audio clips – maternity care providers – 2:23 min.
• Nunavik Midwifery DVD – video clips of elders – 3:00 min.
• Nunavut midwifery program vignette – 6:28 min.

4. Overview of Inuit Tuttarvingat’s
Irnisuksiiniq – Inuit Midwifery Network
(IIMN)
• Irnisuksiiniq – n. the practice of midwifery
• growing demand and support to return birthing to Inuit
communities and to reintegrate Inuit knowledge and practices
• need for communication and networking tools:
listserv inuitmidwifery@naho.ca and
Web site – www.inuitmidwifery.ca
• links to traditional knowledge documents
• translation of 1990 Labrador report
• links to research articles, meeting reports, fact sheets, event
announcements, etc.

5. Audio-visual Products
• Several audio-visual products were also developed for the
Network.
• The first were audio interviews from maternity care providers.
They are available at the Stories section of the Web site.
• The audio clip features Martha Flaherty interviewing Lily
Amagoalik, an Inuk nurse in Iqaluit, in 2007, about how
important serving pregnant women in their own language is. Lily
now works with us at NAHO.

6. First Nunavik Midwifery Gathering, Inukjuak, November 2005 – DVD Themes
• Social and cultural change • Service models
• Birth stories • Post-partum depression
• Practices and beliefs around • Baby care and toddler training
pregnancy, birth and the postnatal • Practices and beliefs around the
period postnatal period
• Community welcoming • Teen pregnancy today
• Teaching methods: Passing on the • Parent preparation
tradition • Perinatal care today
• Male midwives • Well woman care
• Godparents and namesakes • Being a midwife today
• Giving birth far from the community • Tubal pregnancy
• Clinical training • Abortion
• Certification and recognition • Community development
• Midwives and doctors: Different
perspectives

7. Nunavik DVD cover design
Available from inuitmidwifery@naho.ca

8. Clip # 1
Meeko Nastapoka – Elder – Inukjuak
Inuit traditional knowledge – 1:20 min.

9. Clip #2
Elashuk Pauyungie – Elder – Salluit
Using the knowledge and community welcoming –
1:03 min.

10. Clip #3
Martha Greig – Kuujjuaq
Grandfather as midwife positioning a baby for birthing
- :37 sec.

11. Inuit maternity care TV program
May 12, 2009 – APTN-North
Nutaraqtaarniq Nunalingnirmiunut Alianaippuq
ᓄᑕᕋᖅᑖᕐᓂᖅ ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂᕐᒥᐅᓄᑦ
ᐊᓕᐊᓇᐃᑉᐳᖅ
Birth, a joyous community event
See the Web stream of the program at:
www.inuitwellness.ca
Host: broadcaster and clothing
designer, Karliin Aariak
Photo © Ed Maruyama
Youth working group member,
panelist and maternity audience
member: Jennie Williams from Nain.
Photo © Ed Maruyama

12. Photos: Maternity program panelists – Elashuk Pauyungie, Natsiq Kango, Dr. Madeleine Cole
(audience), Akinisie Qumaluk, Martha Greig, Annie Buchan. Photos © Ed Maruyama

13. Maternity care audience members:
Inuapik Sagiatok and Mary Buscemi and son.
Photo © Ed Maruyama

14. Evaluation findings
from the maternity care TV program
Key messages received on maternity care
“Birthing is supposed to be a wonderful experience”; The
importance of traditional midwifery”; “The importance of
maternity centres in Northern communities.”
Actions planned
“I’m going to share these videos with research partners and
community partners.” --Midwifery audience member
“Bring this knowledge to my home community Nain and consider
Inuit maternity care myself.” --Midwifery audience member
*Quotes from audience surveys and key informant interviews.

15. Acknowledgements
AV preparation: Denise Rideout, Communications Officer, Inuit
Tuttarvingat
Nunavik DVD: Coordination - Brenda Epoo, Midwife, Inukjuak;
Footage - Dave Stonier; Funding – Health Canada
Nunavut midwifery vignette: Footage - Health Council of Canada;
Reproduction - Kath Clarida – EnTheos Films/Inuit
Communications (ICSL); Funding - The TV series was funded
in part by the Government of Canada, IPY Program, Public
Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada (including
Northern Region). Funding was also provided by the CIHR
Team in Circumpolar Health Research; Department of Health
and Social Services, Government of Nunavut; Indian and
Northern Affairs-Inuit Relations Secretariat; Canadian North;
and First Air.

16. Contact:
Catherine Carry, Senior Program Officer
Inuit Tuttarvingat, NAHO
220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1200
Ottawa ON K1P 5Z9
E-mail: ccarry@naho.ca
Web site: www.naho.ca/inuit
TV Series: www.inuitwellness.ca
Toll-free: 1-877-602-4445 ext. 252
-or- 1-613-760-3515
Catherine Carry, Project Manager,
thanking the funders on the maternity
show.
Photo © Ed Maruyama