Indigenous Birth Support Worker Certificate
The Indigenous Birth Support Worker Certificate prepares you to support and advocate for birthers and their families before, during and after birth within First Nations communities and in collaboration with other health professionals.
Offered through the First Nations University of Canada in partnership with the Faculty of Kinesiology Health Studies, this is the only university-level program of its kind in Canada that prepares Birth Support Workers while centering Indigenous knowledge and ways of doing.
You’ll receive doula training and learn Indigenous-based birthing practices. The certificate focuses on Indigenous cultural perspectives, understanding the health care system, and incorporating birthing knowledge that reflects local and place-based practices.
Delivered online, in person, or through remote synchronized learning, this 18-credit hour program is completed over two terms.
Graduates are prepared to work within both communities and hospital settings, providing care and advocacy to birthers and their families.
What is an Indigenous Birth Support Worker?
An Indigenous Birth Support Worker provides emotional, physical and cultural support to birthers and their families before, during and after birth. Grounded in Indigenous knowledge and traditions, they help create safe, respectful, and culturally meaningful birthing experiences, whether in the community or in hospital settings.
The Indigenous Birth Support Worker Certificate program prepares you to provide birth and breastfeeding support, land-based practices before and following birth, and parenting support within First Nations communities.
All courses are developed collaboratively with Indigenous Kehte-ayak and Knowledge Keepers from various First Nations communities.
Courses you may take as part of this program include:
INHS 100 - Introduction to Indigenous Health Studies I (3 credits)
Introduction to health science emphasizing Indigenous perspectives. Topics: history of health and health care, theories of health, personal health, consumerism, interpreting health information and statistics, health careers.
INHS 200 - Traditional Indigenous Health Concepts (3 credits)
Traditional health concepts of aboriginal peoples, emphasizing the Aboriginal peoples of North America. The history, evolution, and relevance of traditional beliefs to contemporary health care and health issues are explored.
INHS 140 - Introduction to Community Birthing Education (3 credits)
This course introduces concepts of sharing birthing knowledge in community settings. Learners will integrate theory on professionalism, ethics, confidentiality, communication, collaboration, group work, learning methods, and knowledge transfer practices. Learners are expected to create educational resources and share with fellow learners about aspects of land-based and western birthing practices.
INHS 145 - Introduction to Birthing Practices (3 credits)
This course blends clinical birth practices with land-based birth customs. Learners will complete doula certificate training and experience teachings from local First Nations communities across Saskatchewan. It is intended to provide Birth Support Workers with practical knowledge in local and place-based Indigenous Practices in childbirth and pre-and post-natal care.
INHS 149 - Birthing Practices in the Community (6 credits)
This course provides learners with opportunities to integrate theory and practice in hospital and community settings in preparation for their role as Birth Support Worker. Learners will participate, where possible, in practicum activities and observational experiences during their placement. Hours in this course work toward the doula certificate requirements.
The above requirements are subject to change. For official program requirements, please refer to the Undergraduate Calendar.
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Why Study to be an Indigenous Birth Support Worker at the First Nations University of Canada?
Support Indigenous Birthers, Families, and Communities
You’ll learn how to provide respectful, culturally safe, and meaningful support to Indigenous birthers and their families. You’ll help restore traditional birth practices, offer breastfeeding and parenting support, and connect communities with land-based care. This program plays an important role in returning birth to the community.Gain Hands-On Experience Through Practicum
You’ll complete a 6-week practicum in a birth setting, working with birthers, partners, allied professionals, medical professionals, community members, Kehte-ayak, and Knowledge Keepers. During your practicum, you’ll offer physical, emotional, cultural, spiritual, and informational support to bring the practice of birth back to communities. You’ll create relationships and begin growing your practice.Become a Certified Doula
This program offers an internationally recognized doula instructed course. A certified doula instructor provides the training, which incorporates an Indigenous model of birthing practices. These learning opportunities are brought together by working collaboratively with teachings by Elders, local community members, and healthcare stakeholders.Flexible Learning Options
Earn this 18-credit certificate in just two terms, with the flexibility to study close to home. This program is offered though all three First Nations University campuses in Regina, Saskatoon, and Prince Albert, and through online, in-person, or remote synchronized methods.Indigenous Health collaborated with the Indigenous Communication Arts (INCA) program to produce the Indigenous Birth Support Worker Certificate video.
Indigenous Birth Support Worker Certificate Frequently Asked Questions
You may be eligible for scholarships, financial aid, or other funding opportunities.
Scholarships:
- You are encouraged to explore available U of R scholarships and awards options.
- Additionally, there are specific scholarships offered to First Nations University of Canada students
Financial aid:
- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and designated protected persons may qualify for Canada Student Financial Aid, which provides loans and grants to help cover education costs.
- International students on a study permit should explore financial aid options available in their home country or consider loan opportunities through local banks.
Tuition fees vary depending on whether you are a domestic or international student. To see the cost per credit hour for the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies visit the Tuition and Fee Schedule.
This certificate program requires 18 credit hours.
You can also use the Undergraduate Budget Calculator to estimate your annual university expenses.Admission requirements vary depending on your student type. Please refer to the application guide for detailed admission requirements for the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies.
You can apply to this program online through the University of Regina application portal.What Can You Do with an Indigenous Birth Worker Certificate?
As part of this program, you will receive doula training through an internationally recognized course and become a certified doula, qualified to work anywhere in Canada.
Indigenous Birth Support Worker positions are now opening in some hospital settings in Saskatchewan as well as in First Nations communities. This program also complements roles such as Community Health Representatives and Maternal Child Health workers in these communities.
Recent graduates have seen great success: one student from the latest cohort has been accepted into a midwifery program starting Fall 2024. Another graduate works in a hospital near her home community, providing advocacy while helping develop Indigenous Birth Worker program in a hospital setting, and plans to enter midwifery training soon.
This program is also an excellent complement to any midwifery program.
Career Options:- Indigenous Birth Support Worker
- Certified Birth Doula
- Midwifery Program Candidate (requires further education)
