Historic Milestone Achieved for Cree Midwifery in Eeyou Istchee

A significant advancement for Eeyou-Eenou (Cree) midwifery in Eeyou Istchee has been reached with the recent changes to the Regulation respecting professional acts that persons other than midwives may engage in on certain terms and conditions ^{[1] [2]}. The Government of Québec officially amended the regulation on May 7, 2025, marking a crucial step toward the delivery of culturally rooted, clinically excellent and sustainable perinatal care by Eeyou-Eenou midwives in the region. 

This change is a direct result of the ongoing efforts of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB), other Indigenous groups, the Innulitsivik Health Centre’s team of midwives, and the Ordre des sages-femmes du Québec (OSFQ), among others, who have been working for years to provide Indigenous perinatal care through the EIPC (Eeyou Istchee Pimaatisiiwin Chiskutimaachawin – which means Life Teachings from Eeyou Istchee) program. This community-based training program, designed specifically for Eeyou-Eenou people, enables Indigenous midwifery trainees to become licensed professional midwives in Québec. 

The EIPC Program: Fostering Cree Midwifery Leadership 

The EIPC program was developed to address the unique needs of Eeyou-Eenou families, combining community engagement with professional midwifery training. It is consistent with standards of university-based midwifery education programs and aligned with the OSFQ’s professional standards for midwifery, while also being adapted for the context of Eeyou Istchee.  Its trainees will acquire competencies equivalent to those from university programs and will be eligible for provincial licensing. In addition, they will acquire an expanded set of competencies including traditional and cultural knowledge, emergency skills for birth in remote areas and being able to provide relevant community health education. The program empowers local Eeyou-Eenou trainees to become skilled midwives by acquiring all of the hands-on experience necessary to complete their training, for the benefit of Eeyou-Eenou families. 

Regulation Change: A Turning Point for Indigenous Midwifery 

The new regulation, which comes into effect on May 22, 2025, allows EIPC trainees, along with those in three other Indigenous community-based training programs in Québec, to engage in all of the professional acts typically reserved for licensed midwives, such as catching babies. These activities will provide trainees with the hands-on experience essential for them to complete their certification and become fully licensed midwives under Québec law. 

The collaboration between the CBHSSJB, the OSFQ, and other Indigenous partners played a key role in advocating for this regulatory change. The successful outcome demonstrates the importance of collaboration and mutual support in advancing Indigenous-led healthcare solutions. 

Next Steps: Continuing the Path to Midwifery Services in Eeyou Istchee 

The regulation changes will enable EIPC trainees to continue their clinical training under the supervision of a midwife or other relevant health professionals, both within the region and beyond, if necessary. This will accelerate their learning, bring them closer to providing midwifery care in their communities, and may support the broader development of Indigenous midwifery education for other Indigenous communities across the province. 

This regulatory change marks an important step in the EIPC program. It significantly advances the efforts of the CBHSSJB to bring births back to Eeyou Istchee by offering midwifery services provided by Eeyou-Eenou midwives in the near future.  

EIPC trainees will now expand their clinical work and gain more critical skills and experience. They may also have access to clinical learning opportunities outside of the region, in places like the Val D'Or hospital or through the Innulitsivik Health Centre’s Midwifery Services in Nunavik. This increased exposure will further strengthen the capacity of Indigenous midwives to serve their communities effectively. 

Acknowledgements 

The CBHSSJB and its EIPC program would like to express gratitude to the Board of Directors and the DPSQA-Health Regional Department for their ongoing and critical support. Special thanks are also extended to the Cree Nation Government / Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), and to the Cree First Nations of Chisasibi, Waskaganish and Mistissini for their unwavering commitment to this initiative. 

The CBHSSJB also extends its appreciation to the OSFQ, particularly President Julie Pelletier, Professional Affairs Manager Andrea Houle and the OSFQ Board of Directors, for their dedication to supporting the development of the EIPC program. The Innulitsivik Health Centre’s Midwifery Services and Education Program, and the National Council of Indigenous Midwives have been instrumental in this process as well. 

The work of Jasmine Chatelain, registered midwife and CBHSSJB Planning, Programming and Research Officer, Anne Foro, CBHSSJB Director of Program Development, and Daniel St-Amour, CBHSSJB Executive Director, has been vital in making these changes possible, with extensive support from the CBHSSJB’s Midwifery Services and Department of Nishîyû. External legal counsel from Gowling WLG, including Matthew Sherrard and Jean-Loup Lalonde, also provided essential support. The CBHSSJB extends deep gratitude to the EIPC's Advisory Group and Waapimaussuwin Working Group, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community leaders and families. It is by keeping the fires of Eeyou-Eenou midwifery alive and providing invaluable advice and guidance that the EIPC has been created and made this significant step. 

^{[1] By means of the Regulation to amend the Regulation respecting professional acts that persons other than midwives may engage in on certain terms and conditions, which was Published in the Gazette officielle du Québec (OC 561-2025, (2025) GOQ II, 1469): https://www.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/gazette/pdf_encrypte/lois_reglements/2025A/107382.pdf} 

^{[2] CQLR, c. S-0.1, r.1.}