Pilick celebrates 1st community at-home birth in 85 years

A Wolastoqey community in New Brunswick celebratedits first at-home birth in 85 years earlier this summer.

Pilick, Kingsclear First Nation,15 kilometres west of Fredericton, welcomed baby Truth on June 23 at 12:27 a.m.

He was born at homesurrounded by family and the sound of hand drums.

His mother, Keyaira Gruben,said she chose to have an at-home birth because she wanted to feel culturally safe.

"We got to celebrate [this]birth in such a beautiful way," said Gruben, 27.

She said her grandmother told her it was the first at-home birth in their community in 85 years. Opolahsomuwehes (Imelda Perley),a Wolastoqey knowledge keeper who has beenworking to revitalize the birthing practices for 20 years, said shebelieves that'strue.

Gruden had her daughter Cedar five years agoin hospital and she saidthey were able to drumher in.But because of COVD-19restrictions, Gruben wasn't sure how many peoplecould be present in hospitalwith this birth.

She said by choosing an at-home birth, she had all the supports she needed.

She worked with two midwives throughout her pregnancy. The communityalso came together to light a sacred fire for the ceremony, sun dancers came to help drum Truth into the world, and Gruben was guided through ceremony byOpolahsomuwehes, who also led a pipe ceremony.

Gruben saidthe level of support she received was amazing and it didn't stop once her son was born. Neighbours continued to bring food for her family for at least a week and her midwives were able to answer all of her questions and continued to check in on her regularly.

"It was very communal-based and that's what I really wanted to share," said Gruben.

She said during the birth, 15-20 people were in her house to offer support. Gruben said her neighbours told her that when they heard the drumming from their yards,they started to pray for her.

She said she isgrateful she was part ofrevitalizing the birthing ceremonies in her community. Gruben said the ceremony helped remove the fear she had around birthing and hopes it does the same for other Indigenous women.

"Birthing work is so sacred and the birth of a child does affect everyone," said Gruben.

Opolahsomuwehssaidshe was grateful to be a part of the ceremony. She saidbirthing ceremonies help bring the community together.

Opolahsomuwehs said at one time Wabanaki communities would help celebrate the birth of a child and share in the responsibility in raising that child and that with the birth of Truth, she has seen a revitalization of that. Opolahsomuwehs said when she requested bear fur for the ceremony, someone sent some from Nova Scotia. She alsorequested fire keepers for the ceremony and Pilick community memberscame quickly.

"It was absolutely amazing," said Opolahsomuwehs.

She hopes more Indigenous communities can experience the power of in community births and said she will continue to push for a Wabanaki doula program.