Embée Dezǫą Ast’ehzį T’áh Gots’ágendi | Aunties that are there to help young babies

The Embée Dezǫą Ast’ehzį T’áh Gots’ágendi program aims to build community-based birth support knowledge and skills throughout the Dehcho region, while further supporting the revitalization, preservation, and continuation of the Dehcho Dene culture, knowledge, teachings, ceremony, and traditional practices related to pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, infant care, parenting, and family wellness. Together, we are working to strengthen our region to better reclaim for ourselves and support others with Dene ways of welcoming new life into our community. 

This program is part of the Dehcho First Nations Health & Wellness Division’s long-term goal of reclaiming traditional birthing practices in our region. We’re beginning this work slowly and sustainably by increasing access to knowledge that is culturally grounded, holistic support for individuals and families throughout pregnancy, birth, postpartum and early parenting.

Across the Dehcho region, limited access to prenatal care and prenatal support has created gaps in the care available to individuals and families throughout pregnancy and birth, highlighting the need for accessible, culturally relevant supports that are grounded in Dene knowledge, relationships, and community practices. In response to these realities, this initiative aims to strengthen community-based birth work capacity, support families through traditional Dene approaches to pregnancy and birth, and build community networks of care that complement existing health services while addressing gaps in culturally grounded support.  

Participants in the Embée Dezǫą Ast’ehzį T’áh Gots’ágendi program will form a cohort that will participate in the following in-person training sessions:

Training Session One: Birthwork Foundations – Braiding Knowledges between Western and Traditional birthing practices.
January 18-22, 2027 | Fort Simpson

Facilitated by the Fireweed Health Collective, this five-day foundational training explores the full birthing journey, including pregnancy, labour, birth, postpartum, and early parenting. Grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, participants will learn how Western healthcare practices and Traditional Indigenous birthing knowledge can be braided together to support birthing people, babies, and families.

The training focuses on building foundational knowledge and practical skills to provide culturally grounded, emotional, physical, and spiritual support, while strengthening advocacy and informed choice.

This training is not intended to prepare participants to provide clinical services, but rather to build the confidence and understanding needed to support families throughout their birthing journey.. 

Training Session Two: Reclaiming Dene Birthing

February 16-18, 2027 | Fort Simpson

Facilitated by Dr. Anita Lafferty, Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation Citizen, and supported by Dehcho Elders and Knowledge Keepers, this 3-day, land-based training session focuses on the reclamation and sharing of Dene knowledge related to birthing culture, traditions, ceremonies, wisdom, and more. The intent of this session is to go beyond the practicalities of birthing and empower our community with the sacredness of bringing and welcoming new life into our community.

The Embée Dezǫą Ast’ehzį T’áh Gots’ágendi program is open to all Dehcho Members who are interested in providing more birthing support for their family members and/or community, who may be already or in the future pursuing formal birthworker training (such as midwifery or doula training), or to inform their own personal birth plan. All participants in the cohort must commit to both training sessions. Travel, accommodations, and meals will be provided by the Dehcho First Nations Health & Wellness Division. 

Please Note: This program is not part of any formal or accredited midwifery or doula training program. The focus of this program is to empower community members to support one another with birthing and to support through birthing in a Dene way, and is not a part of any formal clinical or accreditation program. 

How To Participate

If you are interested in participating in the Embée Dezǫą Ast’ehzį T’áh Gots’ágendi program, please express your interest by November 25, 2026, at 5:00pm, via:

Phone: (867) 695-6304
Email: hwservices_manager@dehcho.org

As part of your expression of interest, we ask interested participants to share:

• A little bit about who they are
• Any relevant education or life experience
• A statement of interest, or why they want to participate in this program
• A reference letter

Participants will be contacted by December 1, 2026.

For More Information
If you have any questions about the program or what it means to participate, please reach out to:

Megan Okrainec

Regional Health & Wellness Services Manager 

Dehcho First Nations

hwservices_manager@dehcho.org

(867) 695-6304