Kwiyo:s Maternal Child Health

The Kwiyo:s Maternal Child Health Program is a voluntary, family-centered, culturally based program that works closely with other programs provided to Aboriginal women and their families or families where one partner is Aboriginal, during pregnancy .

We hope to ensure that pregnant women and their families receive the mental, physical and emotional support they need during pregnancy in a supportive, culturally relevant and timely manner.

The Kwiyo:s is a respected “Auntie” who assists with and respects traditional childcare practices, traditional birthing practices and puberty rights.

The Kwiyo:s will come to your home at a time you specify to do a home visit. During a Home Visit the Kwiyo:s will offer suggestions and information relevant to your pregnancy as well as provide you with practical support like helping you with dishes or helping you clean up around the house.

The Kwiyo:s will not interfere with clinical practices performed by a doctor or nurse and the Kwiyo:s will not perform any clinical practices they are not trained to perform.

The Kwiyo:s are

• Doula trained and can help you with comfort measures during pregnancy and during childbirth.
• Postpartum Doula trained and can help with the physical and emotional adjustment to being a parent.
• Breastfeeding trained and can help by offering solutions to breastfeeding problems
• Car Restraint Technicians and can help you with car seat safety issues or questions.

Goal
Our goal is to give pregnant Aboriginal (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) women and their families or families where one partner is Aboriginal culturally appropriate support, integrating traditional childcare practices and traditional birthing practices in their home during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.

The vision of the Kwiyo:s Program is that all children born and raised in our communities are healthy; meet developmental milestones; and be raised in a nurturing, safe and healthy community.

We wish to achieve this by offering women and their family’s access to the support they need during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Am I eligible?
All pregnant Aboriginal women and their families or families where one partner is Aboriginal with infants and young children pregnancy to 3 years of age who live on a reserve listed below that want their children to reach their fullest developmental and lifetime potential are eligible and encouraged to participate in Kwiyo:s Maternal Child Health Program.

• Seabird Island
• Cheam
• Chawathil
• Shxw’o’hamel
• Scowlitz

How can I access this service?
For more information about the Kwiyo:s Maternal Child Health contact:
Ashley Thompson
Phone: 1-604-796-2177
Fax: 1-604-796-3729