See how a baby is welcomed into a First Nations community
CBC's Ann Paul joined St. Mary's First Nation for a placenta burial and spirit name-giving ceremony. Watch a video and scroll through these photos to see what she saw.
Inside a placenta burial at St. Mary's First Nation
Elder Imelda Perley is reviving the traditions of placenta burial and spirit name-giving ceremonies at St. Mary’s First Nation. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Social Sharing
When a baby is on the way in St. Mary's First Nation in New Brunswick, the community gets ready to welcome the child.
But there are some traditions that Elder Imelda Perley wants to bring back.
Giving a child a spirit name is one of them. On a weekend this fall at St. Mary's First Nation, also known as Sitansisk First Nation, the community held a ceremony to revive this aspect of their culture.
The community and family also held a placenta burial ceremony, which is a way to honour the ancestors.
WATCH | Elder Imelda Perley performs a placenta burial to honour the ancestors:
She's also sharing her knowledge with women interested in becoming doulas, who support the mother and help the family prepare for the placenta burial and spirit name-giving ceremony.
The emphasis on community involvement is so the parents know they're not alone in raising their child.
"It's really important that we nurture our women who are bringing these amazing babies into our community," Perley said.
CBC contributor Ann Paul joined the community for the placenta burial and spirit name-giving ceremony. Watch the video below and scroll through the photos to see what she saw.
Community members, doulas, family and friends gather outside a sweat lodge, where the parents or caregivers will take the baby. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Elder Imelda Perley gathers her sacred bundle. For this ceremony, she is the one who gives the children their spirit names. (Ann Paul/CBC)
A sacred fire burns outside the sweat lodge. Every ceremony has a sacred fire so community members can offer tobacco. Smoke goes up to the Creator, taking their prayers. (Ann Paul/CBC)
WATCH | Elder Imelda Perley performs a placenta burial to honour the ancestors:
Robbie Tomah (middle) was the fire keeper for the ceremony. He prepared the sacred fire by the sweat lodge and tended to it. Mason Paul (right) was the photographer for the placenta burial and name-giving ceremony. Imelda Perley, who works at the University of New Brunswick, wanted to document the event. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Women in the St. Mary’s First Nation community who are interested in becoming a doula, who works with and supports the mother throughout pregnancy and birth, were able to learn from the teachings of Elder Imelda Perley. (Ann Paul/CBC)
“These women in our community are doing an amazing job in the reclamation of our cultural foundation, which every child needs,” Imelda Perley said. (Ann Paul/CBC)
The women learning about becoming doulas and placenta burial also received a lesson on making what’s called a moss bag (left). Ann Paul says this is because of a tradition where long ago, when babies didn’t have diapers, caregivers would use soft moss instead. In some First Nation communities, every family that uses a doula will receive a moss bag for their child. (Ann Paul/CBC)
Ann's Eye
Photographer Ann Paul brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick. Click here or the image below to see more of her work.
Ann Paul is a Wolastoqey woman. Her name is Monoqan, meaning rainbow. She is a grandmother, a mother, a daughter, an auntie, a dancer, a singer and a teacher. Using her camera, she brings an Indigenous lens to stories from First Nations communities across New Brunswick.
