Celebrating birth : Aboriginal midwifery in Canada

On the 20th day, a more elaborate three-part ceremony was held, involving: the purification of the mother; the naming of the baby; and the presentation of the baby to the sun. [...] Similarly, maternal child health is seen as connected to both the health of the family (regardless of family structure) and the health of the community. [...] The Public Health Department of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) The Awash program of the CBHSSJB has been exploring the implementation of midwifery services for James Bay Cree communities. [...] Memorandum of Understanding Between Health Canada of the Government of Canada and the Department of Health and Human Services of the Government of the United States of America A five-year memorandum of understanding was first implemented by the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States in 2002. [...] The MOU ―mutually recognized that the health status of First Nations and Inuit in Canada and American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States share many of the same characteristics and challenges‖ (Government of Canada, 2007).