As we observe the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reflect on how Canada’s legacy of colonization has impacted the practice of midwifery in Indigenous communities, harming the health and wellbeing of Indigenous parents and their newborns for generations.
Last year, we shared thatthe College of Midwives of Ontario waives administrative costs for the name-change process for Indigenous midwives registered with the College reclaiming their Indigenous names. This is in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #17, which directs all levels of government to enable residential school survivors and their families to reclaim and use their Indigenous names on all government documents. Click here for information on how to begin the name-change process.
College staff are reviewing all the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action to determine which can be implemented in our organization and which calls to action we should add our voices to in a supportive role. We will continue to share this work with all registrants and members of the public.