A different way: Midwifery guides renewal of traditional birth practices – The Star Phoenix
May 17, 2019
Eileen Thomas — a grandmother of 24 and great-grandmother of 19 — is sometimes accused of talking too much. It’s hard to imagine that many years ago, when the Salteaux woman was just starting her family, there were times she felt too nervous to speak up.
Thomas recalls one of those instances. A pregnancy was giving her trouble so she travelled from her home in Kinistin Saulteaux Nation to nearby Tisdale to see a doctor. She felt uncomfortable taking the pills he prescribed, but said nothing of her concerns and took them home.
In her case, she was fortunate to have her mother as support. Thomas’ mother put the pills aside and assured Thomas that her anxiety wasn’t unfounded. She started Thomas on herbal teas her mother had passed on to her, to help alleviate stress or illness.
