Critical Lens

As you read through the readings for this week, and using your critical thinking skills, what did you notice was missing, included, centered, or ignored?

For example: What if we were concerned about our spiritual selves, what would the chapters look like then? If we were only concerned about our emotional states or Mental health? What did you notice about the discussion of the emotional self of the mother? Father? The involvement of the community in the process of birth and development? Consider the Medicine Wheel teachings shared at the beginning of this text. Imagine the Haudenosaunee practice of welcoming new babies into the community. What is the impact of the creation stories in this process?

Coming to this knowledge with our minds open and asking good questions. You are asked to be decerning in this learning. What is missing? Why were things presented the way they were? What concerns, questions and assumptions do you have? How will your role as a professional be impacted by the ‘lens’ that is being presented? How do we remain human in the midst of knowledge and information?

Invitation to share knowledge that you bring to the circle: Personal experiences that relates to the topic and readings.

Alternative lens: This would be a great opportunity to share an alternative worldview about birth and how humans come to be on the earth. These are not just stories or myths, they represent a way of seeing and understanding the world that, just like in Western culture, help to form our understanding of the world around us, and how we relate to all things.

While each Indigenous Nation in Canada has its own creation story, there are common threads throughout these stories that can help us better understand Indigenous worldview and the sacredness of life. In these stories, there is always a spiritual element. Life and birth are sacred and intentional. There is nothing left to chance (Nelson, 2004). Other common threads include the relationship that humans have to the rest of creation. Humans are almost portrayed as connected to the land and the natural world, not separate from it. This relationship with creation continues throughout the human lifespan (Nelson, 2004).

Sky woman creation story:

Gitchi -Manitou and Sky Woman:

Wesakechak (Wiss–a–ka–chuck):

Many indigenous cultures in Canada view birth as a ceremony, yet often the tradition of birth has been interrupted by a lack of support within Indigenous communities to have babies born within the community. Many remote communities require pregnant mothers to fly into larger centres to give birth. This practice disrupts the tradition of welcoming and celebrating the birth of baby, within the community. It can also be an isolating experience for the mother and the baby as they navigate their first few days or weeks without the support of their community.

(Hayward & Cidro, 2021)

After reading this chapter, ask yourself How would this understanding of the world change your world view?

Is it possible to see these ‘stories’ and the text book as mutually inclusive, and how?

Consider inviting in an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper to tell their birthing story.

Birth and Indigenous worldview