This video developed by Northern Health BC highlights information shared by women from the Tsimshian, Tahltan, Haisla, Gitxsan, and Nisǥa’a nations. In this video they share their cultural practices around birth and how these impact their health care needs.
The women explain that around birth, they often want family members present to be involved in traditional ceremonies. There are even certain practices that are important to these women such as cord cutting, examining the baby as soon as they are born, saving the placenta and so on. There is a notion that a lot of these practices are often not discussed in advance with health care practitioners. It’s important that these practices are discussed in advance so there is a partnership between these women and health care delivery. I will examine how technology can perhaps close this gap, specifically around rural communities.