Ontario Supporting Indigenous Midwifery in Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry

July 10, 2025

Province investing $250,000 in culturally-based care at the Onkwehón:we Midwives Collective

News Release July 10, 2025

AKWESASNE— The Ontario government is investing up to $250,000 to support the expansion of traditional pregnancy, newborn, and culturally-specific health practices in Indigenous Communities at the Onkwehón:we Midwives Collective (OMC) in Akwesasne. This funding is part of the government’s $1,000,000 investment to strengthen Indigenous Midwifery Programs.

“Access to high quality maternal and infant care plays a critical role in giving children a strong start to life,” said Nolan Quinn, MPP of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “Through this investment, our government is protecting families and traditional practices in Akwesasne by ensuring mothers and babies have strong, culturally-sensitive midwifery care right in our community.”

The OMC received $50,000 in 2024-2025, and will receive $200,000 in 2025-2026 to enhance its services and continue providing culturally based midwifery care to Indigenous families in Akwesasne and surrounding communities.

“We are deeply grateful to the Ministry of Health for funding an additional midwife position in Akwesasne. This investment supports culturally safe care and strengthens Indigenous midwifery, which is vital to the health and wellbeing of our community and future generations.”
– Anastasia George, Executive Director of OMC

“Akwesasne is grateful that additional funding is being provided to help support the Onkwehon:we Midwives Collective. Caring for our babies and those yet to come starts long before they are born and this investment supports care that is guided by our traditions. Supporting our midwives means supporting our mothers, our children and our future.”
-Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Grand Chief Leonard Lazore

This investment will not only connect families to more culturally based health care options but also preserve and promote Indigenous knowledge and traditional birth practices for generations to come.

“Our government is making historic investments to ensure people of all ages can conveniently access the care they need, where and when they need it,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By supporting Onkwehon:we Midwives Collective to expand their services, we are ensuring that more Indigenous people and families can connect to community-based and culturally-specific maternal care that better supports their physical, spiritual, emotional and mental well-being.”

Quick Facts
• In 2017, The Onkwehón:we Midwives Collective (OMC) was established in the Akwesasne community by Jasmine Benedict, IM, to revitalize traditional birth practices.
• With funding from the Ontario government’s Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, OMC has thrived in Akwesasne, dedicated to providing culturally informed midwifery care.
• OMC provides a range of services, including prenatal visits, labor and birth support, newborn care for up to six weeks, and postpartum guidance.

For Further Information:
Adrian Bugelli
Office of Nolan Quinn MPP
613-933-6513
adrian.bugelli@pc.ola.org