Métis maternal and child health

Many Métis mothers spoke about the need to reclaim their identities during pregnancy, and Elders spoke about the centrality of traditions, ceremonies and language to the health of Métis families. [...] Maternal-child health is seen as connected to both the health of the family and the health of the community. [...] The main objective of this paper is to build on the knowledge revealed in the Healthy Messages project, and use the knowledge obtained through the development of the DVD to create a foundation of knowledge and an evidence base to inform future research. [...] The results of the report indicated a lack of Métis-specific services and programs as well as a lack of awareness of Métis knowledge and traditions. [...] The sanaji is the “helper who first touches the baby and becomes the one who is entitled to ‘create’ the child by bestowing certain skills and characteristics on the newborn” (NAHO, 2004, p. 24).