Sara Wolfe, registered midwife, nurse & Anishnawbe (Ojibway) with family ties to Brunswick House First Nation & Nishnawbe Aski Nation, was the guest speaker at Monday's evening event. This marked the third of six Centennial Speaker Series, with a focus on Maternal and Child Health. Each of these speaker series relates to one of the six pillars of focus of Rotary International.

 

Click here to see more pictures from this event (courtesy of Mike Serafimovski)

 
Ms. Wolfe began her introductions by not only describing herself and her accomplishments in the typical way, but also, as she explained is traditional in the way of First Nations, through her lineage: Who her parents and grandparents were, until as far back as she could go. She touched upon residential schools, and the atrocities her family (and others) suffered at these institutions. Ms. Wolfe explained the importance of midwifery within indigenous populations, and that there are huge health inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations in Canada. 
 
Ms. Wolfe is a founding partner in Seventh Generations Midwives Toronto, a group of midwives who offer maternity care to women from the City of Toronto, particularly those from the downtown area, and from the Aboriginal community. One of the unique features of this organization is the focus on offering indigenous elements throughout the birthing process, for those who want it and for those who would benefit.