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Labrador Innu launch baby bundles providing essential supplies to new parents

Innu midwifery students are still in training, but are starting to support Innu parents with bundles of essential newborn supplies.

Innu midwifery students say they wanted to start helping parents right away

Heidi Atter · CBC News ·
A number of newborn baby supplies are set up on top of a crib.
The newborn baby bundles provided by the Innu Midwifery Program include baby books, a calendar, diaper bag, personal care supplies, diapers, a blanket and more. (Heidi Atter/CBC)

Innu midwifery students are still in training, but aren't waiting to begin supporting expecting parents in Natuashish and Sheshastshiu. 

The Innu Midwifery Program, run by the Innu Round Table Secretariat, is now offering Innu-specific baby bundles, taking inspiration from Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and European countries. 

"I'm grateful for the bundles, and I think a lot of parents are gonna feel like that in the communities," said Noreen Andrew, an Innu midwifery student and expecting mother. 

A woman holds up a baby blanket while smiling, while another woman gestures to a colourful diaper bag.
The Innu baby bundles include a baby blanket, diaper bag, diapers and swaddlers, clothing, thermometer and other newborn baby supplies. (Heidi Atter/CBC)

The students were thinking about ways to help parents, and decided to offer the baby bundles because of the high cost of newborn supplies in Labrador, said Gisela Becker, the program's implementation co-ordinator. 

The program received funding through the charity True North Aid for a pilot program of 50 baby bundles. Becker said they hope to use the pilot program to build a case for continual funding in the future.

"It's really important that people have the essentials to care well for their newborn," Becker said. "There has been a lot of interest and people have been coming by and I think it's been going really well."

The bundles include child thermometers, a baby blanket, diapers, clothing, personal care items, swaddlers, baby books and more. 

"It was very exciting," said Innu midwifery student Emma White. "It's definitely a privilege to be able to work with the community members while I'm getting educated."

Two women put baby supplies into a colourful diaper bag.
Innu parents in Sheshatshiu and Natuashish can register for a baby bundle by contacting the Innu Midwifery Program. All the supplies are packaged in a diaper bag with a colourful design. (Heidi Atter/CBC)

The students have handed out 10 bundles so far. White said she hopes the bundles show some of the support out there for expecting parents.

"We're always going to be here and willing to answer your questions. While we might not know the answer, we're willing to be there with you and figure out that answer," White said. "We're there for them, whatever, anything anybody needs." 

White said the bundles are just the start of their work to support families. The midwifery students hope to one day have a freestanding birth centre on the Innu reservation, funding for Innu doulas, and Innu nurses, White said. 

"We're gonna be a force." 

A group of women sit on a couch, there are baby supplies on a coffee table in front of them.
The Innu Midwifery Program has four students, a co-ordinator, and support workers. (Heidi Atter/CBC)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heidi Atter

Mobile Journalist

Heidi Atter is a journalist working in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. She has worked as a reporter, videojournalist, mobile journalist, web writer, associate producer, show director, current affairs host and radio technician. Heidi has worked in Regina, Edmonton, Wainwright, and in Adazi, Latvia. Story ideas? Email heidi.atter@cbc.ca.

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