NCIM’s vision is to see Indigenous midwives working in every Indigenous community.

To make this vision a reality and uphold the work of our members, we work with communities, Indigenous and non‑Indigenous governing bodies at all levels, organizations and allies. Our relationships are our strength! NCIM strongly encourages government, organizations, and stakeholders to approach us with relevant projects that have the goal of advancing Indigenous health.

CAM’s 2016 Conference in Victoria, BC. with the theme, "Midwives Caring for Diverse Communities: Leadership and Collaboration".

WAYS OF WORKING

Working with the National Council of Indigenous Midwives: Values, responsibilities and ways to work together is an essential document for engaging in healthy, supportive, and reconciliatory partnerships with NCIM.

This publication frames what an ideal collaboration with NCIM looks like, both for us and our partners. The document outlines some of the benefits of partnering with us, and the principles of engagement that we expect from partners to ensure that we are advancing the sexual and reproductive health and well‑being of Indigenous communities in a good way. This document also outlines the process for reaching out to NCIM regarding a potential partnership.

CAM is the national organization representing midwives and the profession of midwifery in Canada. CAM is NCIM’s longest standing ally. CAM’s mission is to provide leadership and advocacy for midwifery as a regulated, publicly funded and vital part of the primary maternity care system in all Canadian jurisdictions.

CAM recognizes NCIM as the national voice of Indigenous midwifery and supports NCIM’s work. The relationship has been cultivated since 2002 and has become a powerful example of reconciliation. The relationship between CAM and NCIM is mutually beneficial and important to both organizations. Since 2002, CAM and NCIM have worked jointly on several key Federal advocacy pieces all with the aim of advancing the profession of midwifery in Canada.

CAM’s Annual General Meeting on June 18, 2017 in Toronto was a historic moment in CAM and NCIM’s history, as we signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

CAM Executive Director, Tonia Occhionero, and CAM President Katrina Kilroy stand with then Minister of Health Jane Philpott and NCIM Co‑Chairs Melissa Brown and Evelyn George (2017), while wearing the CAM/NCIMscarf which represents the CAM‑NCIM collaboration and serves as a commitment to this relationship into the future.
CAM Executive Director, Tonia Occhionero, and CAM President Katrina Kilroy stand with then Minister of Health Jane Philpott and NCIM Co‑Chairs Melissa Brown and Evelyn George (2017), while wearing the CAM/NCIM scarf which represents the CAM‑NCIM collaboration and serves as a commitment to this relationship into the future.

National Indigenous Organizations

For several years, NCIM has been working to grow its relationships with National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs), including Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Native Women’s Association of Canada, Pauktuutit and Métis Nation.  NCIM collaborates with several NIOs on various Indigenous health advisory groups and committees.

Native Youth Sexual Health Network (NYSHN)

NYSHN is a grassroots, Indigenous youth‑led organization that works in collaboration with a network of intergenerational relatives across issues of reproductive justice & sexual health. NCIM and NYSHN have collaborated on many joint initiatives over the years.

First Nations Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) / Indigenous Services Canada

Since 2009, NCIM has received project funding from the FNIHB. These funds have largely been used to complement the ongoing operational funding that NCIM receives from CAM and has enabled NCIM to undertake some of our earliest work, including holding our first Gathering and developing our pamphlet trio and our Returning Birth Toolkit.

FNIHB recognizes NCIM as the national voice of Indigenous midwifery. Currently, FNIHB provides funding for NCIM to advise and support communities who are receiving funding for the Indigenous midwifery demonstration projects as part of the four‑year Indigenous Midwifery Budget, an historic commitment announced in June 2017 by then Minister of Health, Jane Philpott.

Save the Children Canada (SCC)

Since 2015, NCIM has worked in partnership with SCC. Our projects are designed to leverage the strengths of NCIM’s national network of Indigenous midwives and enable NCIM to continue to take meaningful steps towards our vision of having Indigenous midwives in every Indigenous community. The projects we have partnered on include: Bringing Birth Back and the Indigenous Midwifery Core Competencies Framework.

Delivering at home: Opportunities for Canadian Leadership through Canada’s hosting of global Women Deliver Conference (June 2019)

In the lead up to Women Deliver 2019, CAM and NCIM have joined forces with Action Canada and Oxfam Canada. In hosting the Women Deliver conference in June 2019, Canada will bring together the activists, organizations and actors working towards gender equality and women’s empowerment from around the world.

This conference is a significant moment for Canada, as a global leader in advancing gender equality and women’s rights, to launch a legacy initiative that would empower women and girls across Canada to claim and exercise their rights. Canada has already invested heavily in efforts to bring a gendered perspective to law and policy making.

As Canada prepares to host the conference, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, the Canadian Association of Midwives, the National Council of Indigenous Midwives and Oxfam Canada, have partnered to develop three proposals to drive progress on sexual and reproductive health and rights in Canada.

Together, the leading organizations are in the process of meeting with relevant decision‑makers to explore interest in these proposals. Widespread cross‑movement support for these initiatives will have a significant impact on the success of the initiative and demonstrate unity around priority areas in the realm of sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and human rights in Canada. We are therefore seeking organizational endorsements for this trilogy of proposals.

We need your support! Please complete this online form or write to:
sarah@actioncanadashr.org, with the name of your organization and your logo.