Truth and Reconciliation: Its Importance in Your Doula Practice
Truth and reconciliation for doulas, September 30 marks The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada – a day to honor and acknowledge the history of residential schools, remember the children who never came home, and recognize the lasting impact on families and communities. This is a day for listening, learning, and facing the truths of the past that continue to shape our present.
Understanding the Seasons of Reflection and Celebration
June brings National Indigenous History Month, a time to celebrate the resilience, culture, language, and birthkeeping practices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. It is an opportunity to recognize the brilliance and strength that continue to thrive in Indigenous communities.
September 30 calls for a different focus. It is a time for settlers, non-Indigenous birthworkers, and those with privilege in healthcare to confront difficult truths. It asks us to sit with the reality of systemic harm, forced assimilation, and the targeting of Indigenous peoples – the loss of children, the disruption of families, and the erasure of traditional ways of life.
The legacy of residential schools is not confined to history books. It lives in the bodies of Survivors, in gaps in healthcare, in the mistrust of institutions, and sometimes, quietly but powerfully, in the birth room.
Why Truth and Reconciliation for Doulas Matters in Birthwork
Supporting an Indigenous client may mean walking alongside someone whose family has experienced displacement, intergenerational trauma, or forced assimilation. You may be the first person offering respectful and affirming care. You may be the one they are deciding whether to trust.
Even if you do not know the full story, showing up with humility, awareness, and a willingness to learn can make all the difference. Understanding history allows you to hold space more thoughtfully. It helps you recognize that fear may stem from generational trauma rather than the immediate moment. It reminds you to honor mistrust without taking it personally.
Truth as the Foundation
Reconciliation begins with truth. Facing uncomfortable facts is not about guilt or shame – it’s about learning and doing better. In birthwork, this means unlearning harmful teachings, creating space for Indigenous knowledge systems, and respecting the unique needs of Indigenous families.
This September 30, dedicate time to listen, read, and reflect. Deepen your understanding and explore ways to shape your practice around truth. By acknowledging the past, we equip ourselves to provide care that honors history, culture, and resilience – so we do not repeat the mistakes of yesterday.
By Aunjrya Fleming, EDI Lead, Doula School International
About the Author: Aunjrya Fleming
About the Author: Aunjrya FlemingEDI Lead, Doula School International
Aunjrya is the EDI lead for Doula School. She is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with a deep commitment to reproductive justice. She brings years of experience working with racialized, refugee, and 2SLGBTQIA+ families as a maternal health navigator, educator, and advocate. Aunjrya is passionate about building equity-informed spaces that center safety, dignity, and agency for all birthing people.