Midwives held pivotal roles within Métis communities, supporting families through the transition of pregnancy into parenthood in a good way. Midwives were highly skilled community members who gained knowledge by working alongside other community midwives. They aimed to care for pregnant people and their babies and attend to the cultural and ceremonial aspects of pregnancy and birth. Birth was often a community affair, with aunties, grandmothers, and other community members supporting the birthing process and the mother and child in the postpartum period. Because of this, pregnancy and birth were central to Métis cultural teachings and viewed as a natural part of the life cycle.
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