Why you might hear drumming at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital

In the maternity ward of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, the usual sounds of a busy hospital fill the air.

Beeping monitors, quiet conversations between nurses and the rhythmic shuffle of footsteps on polished floors.

The air is filled with the sterile scent of antiseptic and the faint hum of fluorescent lights overhead.

A file photo of Saskatoon’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital taken on Sept. 10, 2024. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

But every so often, a subtle shift occurs.

From one of the rooms, the faint, earthy scent of sage begins to drift down the hallway, carried by the smoke of a smudging ceremony. It’s subtle, almost imperceptible to some.

In the background, you might hear the low beat of Indigenous drums or a powwow song, a gentle reminder of a culture that has long been pushed to the margins but is now making its presence known once again.

Listen to Christine Theoret on Meeting Ground:

This is the work of the Indigenous Birth Support Workers — dedicated professionals like Christine Theoret, Kecia Martell and Brittany Yaworski, who are part of a larger team offering support to First Nations, Métis and Inuit families.

Their presence is part of a program designed to rebuild trust and respect within the health-care system, ensuring Indigenous families feel seen, respected and connected to their cultural roots through every step of the birth experience.

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A holistic approach

For these Indigenous Birth Support Workers, every aspect of a woman’s journey — from labor to delivery and postpartum — is approached with a deep understanding of both medical knowledge and cultural practices.

Theoret, who has been a part of the program since its inception in 2019, recalled how her personal experiences as a mother have shaped the way she supports her patients. “It means so much to me to do this job because I connect with the patients. I’ve had vulnerable times when I was having my kids, and I wish I had someone like this there to catch me when I was spiraling,” she shared. “I never had the support or the help to take care of my newborn babies. I was always left alone to figure it out.”

Christine Theoret has been a part of the Indigenous Birth Support Workers Program since its inception in 2019. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Theoret’s empathy is rooted in her own experiences and she strives to offer the support she wished she had had during her own pregnancies and deliveries.

Her work, in part, is about listening, reassuring, and providing a comforting presence when the weight of new motherhood can feel overwhelming.

Healing through rituals: The role of smudging

One of the most impactful ways the Indigenous Birth Support Workers provide comfort is through cultural rituals, like smudging. Smudging is a sacred ceremony that has been practiced by Indigenous peoples for centuries.

The ritual is a way to cleanse the space and invite positive energy and prayers for a safe, healthy birth.

Theoret explained that smudging can create a sense of grounding and safety for the mothers and their families. “It’s so nice to be able to smudge with patients,” she said with a smile, adding that many patients don’t realize that smudging in the hospital setting is an option until it is offered.

For many Indigenous women, having the opportunity to practice their culture in a health-care setting like this is deeply meaningful. It’s a way to reclaim their identity in a system that has often ignored or misunderstood their needs.

Smudging becomes a ritual of healing — a way to prepare both the mother and the space for the transformative experience of childbirth.

Kecia Martell, an Indigenous Birth Support Worker, considers herself an ‘auntie’ — a term that holds deep cultural significance in Indigenous communities. An auntie is not just a relative but a caregiver and protector. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Honouring traditions and educating families

The work of Indigenous Birth Support Workers also includes educating families about cultural practices and the significance behind them.

One such tradition is the belly button pouch, which holds deep meaning for many Indigenous families.

Kecia Martell, another Indigenous birth support worker, said that this is one of her favourite teachings to pass along to families in her care.

“When the umbilical cord falls off, traditionally, you would either keep it for a year, or you can it right away and you bury it. And it’s like an offering. You’re thanking the Creator for the baby. You pray for whatever you’re wanting for the baby.”

The Indigenous Birth Support Worker Program provides families with a belly button pouch, a traditional item used to hold the umbilical cord and offer prayers for the baby’s future. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The belly button pouch is more than just a physical keepsake; it’s a ceremony that connects the baby to the land, to the ancestors and to the family’s hopes for their future.

Another important cultural practice is the moss bag. A moss bag is a traditional way of wrapping a newborn baby in a soft, protective pouch.

The use of a moss bag is another healing practice that helps restore cultural traditions that have been lost through history.

The Indigenous Birth Support Worker Program teaches families how to use a moss bag, a traditional wrap for newborns that provides comfort and protection while honouring cultural practices. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Supporting the whole family

While the focus of the Indigenous Birth Support Workers is often on the person giving birth, their support extends to the entire family.

Martell explained, “It is about the birthing person, but dads matter too, and aunties matter and kukoms matter. It’s about supporting that entire family.”

Her words reflect the holistic nature of their approach — one that recognizes the importance of community and the interconnectedness of family relationships.

Birth, in this framework, is a shared experience that involves everyone, from the parents to the extended family, and even the broader community.

“It’s about supporting the entire family, ensuring that the baby’s arrival is a safe and positive experience for everyone involved,” said Brittany Yaworski, highlighting the importance of caring for both the birthing person and their loved ones. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

Rebuilding trust in health care

One of the most important aspects of the Indigenous Birth Support Worker program is its role in rebuilding trust between Indigenous families and the health-care system.

For many Indigenous people, the history of colonization, forced assimilation and mistreatment within medical institutions has created a deep mistrust of Western health-care practices.

“Acknowledging that our role is part of the Truth and Reconciliation Act, and that we are here to make them feel safe because of what has happened in the history of birth and indigenous lives, can break down those barriers so quickly,” said Yaworski. “You know you go in, you introduce yourself in your role, and you see those walls come down. Their shoulders drop, and that sigh of relief.”

This acknowledgment of past trauma is a crucial step in breaking down the walls that many Indigenous families carry into the hospital.

The Birth Support Workers serve as allies, guiding families through the health-care system with empathy, respect and a deep understanding of the cultural sensitivities that many patients experience.

Christine Theoret, Kecia Martell and Brittany Yaworski are part of a larger team offering support to First Nations, Métis and Inuit families through the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Indigenous Birth Support Workers Program. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)

The impact of a safe space

As the program grows and the presence of Indigenous Birth Support Workers continues to make a lasting impact, it’s clear that the work these women do is creating ripples of change.

They are playing a pivotal role in the ongoing process of reconciliation, healing and cultural restoration, ensuring that families can leave the hospital with a positive memory of one of the most important moments of their lives.