Baby boy born at Tekontaterièn:tare

On January 30 at 12:16 p.m., Arlo Geronimo Wakatshennón:ni Monteith became the third baby and first boy born in the Tekontaterièn:tare Multigenerational Center for Women’s Wellness in Kanesatake.

“I love this space,” said Ashley Arihsawe Airey, now a mother of two. “It felt like a little home away from home.”

Located at the Kanesatake Health Center (KHC)’s Tsonkwatentionhátie Farm, the home birth space in Tekontaterièn:tare is equipped with a kitchen, full bath, living, dining, bedroom, multiple beds, and a children’s play area.

The purpose of the birth space is to bring back birthing practices from more than 50 years ago when births happened in the community and were supported by family, knowledge keepers, and women, said Patricia Kahentanó:ron Gabriel, doula and community birth keeper at the KHC.

“For our community it represents reclaiming birth as something natural, precious and sacred,” said Gabriel.

In Tekontaterièn:tare, a community comes together to care for the birthing family, said Gabriel.

“The care is relational and rooted in shared responsibility,” said Gabriel. “Unlike hospitals or many birthing centres, this space allows families to remain connected to their language, ceremonies, land, and people throughout the birth process.”

Airey noticed the difference in community care during birth. She gave birth to her firstborn at a birthing centre in Blainville, and while it was a good experience, Airey said the care she received at Tekontaterièn:tare was special.

“Their knowledge and support and love, really, really poured through,” said Airey.

She described the birth team as ever-present, giving counselling, massages, and tending to her needs throughout the birth.

“The whole team of the midwife and the doulas are constantly helping and serving you water or fruit,” said Airey. “They were always on top of everything, whatever I needed. And as soon as I told them anything, they were there.”

During the stay, the family was served traditional teas and moose chili, chicken noodle soup, and different juices.

“Someone from our community, she was there making really nice home-cooked meals,” said Airey. “Things you wouldn’t get in another place.”

Along with a birthing team, such as a midwife and doula, the space can easily accommodate many family members and kids of women giving birth.

“Families with kids, they have a whole space upstairs with a complete kitchen play area. My mom was able to be up there while I was giving birth to my son,” said Airey. “It was just so, so nice I can’t even begin to explain it.”

Arlo’s father, Michael Monteith, described Tekontaterièn:tare as like a luxury Airbnb surrounded by nature, and noted how much food was provided for the family during their one-night stay.

“If you open the windows, all you hear is birds, and there was sun shining in through every window,” said Monteith. “The kitchen is fully stocked with all the fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, cheese, snacks, and healthy teas.”

Other birth families have shared how they felt deeply supported, empowered, loved, and safe said Gabriel.

So far, two other families have given birth at Tekontaterièn:tare. Babies born at the centre receive a baby’s birth certificate reflecting they gave birth in Kanesatake, said Gabriel.

“Many parents share how meaningful it was to give birth on Kanesatake land,” said Gabriel.

“It was just not a question for me, because I thought it was just really, really cool that I could give birth in my hometown,” said Airey.

Baby Arlo, his big brother John-Anthony Giacomo Tehoswáte Monteith, and mom and dad are all healthy and adjusting to being a family of four.

“We’re all doing really, really good,” said Airey. “We’re soaking in all that newborn goodness.”

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Hadassah Alencar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter