Bringing Birth Home: A Conversation with Dr. Karen Lawford, Canada Research Chair (Tier II) – Indigenous Midwifery – AOM
Dr. Karen Lawford is an Anishinaabe midwife from Lac Seul First Nation and was recently named a Canada Research Chair (CRC) – Indigenous Midwifery at McMaster University. We spoke with her about this recognition, her research on evacuation for birth and the future of Indigenous midwifery.
Congratulations on being named a Canada Research Chair – Indigenous Midwifery. What does this recognition mean for you personally and for the field of Indigenous midwifery research?
In the academic world, it is a huge accomplishment and honour to be awarded a Canada Research Chair. I am very honoured. What feels great for Indigenous midwifery is that my university nominated me and it sees Indigenous midwifery as important enough to have a high-level research position. I was quite surprised when it was brought to me that this was even a possibility, because there has never been a CRC in any midwifery, and the first one is allocated to Indigenous midwifery. I hope that it elevates Indigenous midwifery into a realm where people understand its importance.
