Prenatal program supports local families

Launched for the first time in Kahnawake, Sken:nen tsi Aiethiiehiaronhseke is a prenatal program that recently concluded its first eight-week session. From June 1 to July 24, it supported 10 local families through a culturally grounded, community-based approach to birth preparation.

Led by Kenya Bero in partnership with Kahnawake Collective Impact, the program welcomed families twice a week for immersive two-hour sessions. Each session combined teachings from modern healthcare professionals and Kanien’kehá:ka knowledge keepers, offering a holistic approach.

“For the 10 families who participated, the experience extended beyond prenatal education,” said Bero. “It became a space of cultural connection, empowerment, and renewal of traditional practices.”

Participant Tia Karahkwenhawi Bauersfeld described the experience as deeply affirming. “I felt safe, seen, and heard, which filled me with reassurance and confidence for labour and birth. The program truly honours its name, Sken:nen tsi Aiethiiehiaronhseke.”

The inspiration behind the program came from a group of women in the Collective Action Team, who wanted something beyond the standard medical model, something spiritual, cultural, and holistic. “We aimed to create a traditional, community-based prenatal class centred on Indigenous knowledge systems,” explained Bero.

The curriculum blended modern medical guidance with traditional teachings. Topics included creation stories, pregnancy and moon cycles, family and community roles, holistic pain management, postpartum care, infant CPR, placenta care, nutrition, and welcoming ceremonies for babies and mothers.

The program was facilitated by a diverse team of local midwives, elders, doulas, and educators. Its opening weeks were led by Lynn Jacobs, an experienced educator who introduced participants to the Creation Story and the cultural roles of parents.

“When a baby is born and takes their first breath, their cry is a call,” Jacobs said. “As caregivers, we are all being asked to answer that call with love and responsibility.”

Jacobs guided participants through reflective exercises, including connecting with symbolic items like Three Sisters seeds or strawberries, and spending time in stillness on the earth. “The insights they shared were incredible,” she said.

The group included both first-time and experienced parents, fostering peer-to-peer learning and emotional support. Participant Belle Philips noted the power of shared experience. “It was comforting to talk about how we’re feeling physically and mentally and having my partner with me throughout made a big difference.”

According to Bero, one of the most rewarding aspects was seeing participants grow in confidence. “One mother told us she was terrified. By the end, she said, ‘I’m not afraid anymore. I know my body can do this.’ That’s the transformation we hoped for.”

The program concluded with a Mother’s Closing Ceremony in a sacred outdoor space, honouring each participant’s journey. Families received celebratory baskets filled with practical and meaningful items: handmade baby blankets, nursery books, baby balm, sage, essential oils, recipe and knowledge cards, food vouchers, raspberry leaf tea, and support resources.

Partners were gifted support packs with stress-relief tools and educational materials to help them take an active role during labour and postpartum.

“This was more than a class,” said Bero. “It became a circle of strength where everyone had something to give and something to gain. We held space for one another.”

While this was the first program of its kind in Kahnawake, the response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. “There’s demand,” Bero noted. “People kept saying, ‘I wish this existed last year.’ We’re working to offer the program again, hopefully on an ongoing basis.”

For Jacobs, the program marked a powerful return to ancestral ways. “Bringing life into the world is sacred,” she said. “When rooted in our teachings, it becomes even more powerful. This program showed how we can honour birth through culture, care, and connection.”

Kahnawake is flourishing, Bero added, with expanding prenatal and postpartum care. “It’s beautiful to see trained doulas and community birth helpers guiding families through this journey.”

“Our goal was simple,” she concluded. “To provide a sacred foundation built on culture, connection, and care and to remind families they’re not alone. I think we did just that.”

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