A group of five Indigenous grandmothers across Alberta is collaborating with University of Alberta researchers to develop digital stories and a booklet to share traditional teachings and cultural practices with their communities and beyond.
"Supporting Indigenous children's development and well-being starts during pregnancy by helping mothers develop stronger connections to culture," says Stephanie Montesanti, associate professor in the School of Public Health and director of the CARE Research Lab.
"Connection to culture through the sharing of traditional knowledge improves health and enhances wellness across generations as mothers share knowledge and traditions with their children."
With representation from Treaty 6, 7 and 8, as well as the Métis Nation of Alberta, the Grandmothers' Wisdom Network supports Indigenous mothers, pregnant women and their children living on and off-reserve in Alberta.
"There is no greater teacher in Cree culture than a kokum or grandmother," explains Elder Muriel Lee of Ermineskin Cree Nation, Treaty 6. "Grandmothers are the real knowledge keepers, and the Grandmothers' Wisdom Network has given each of us an avenue to share traditional knowledge. It has been the most meaningful and purposeful task I have undertaken in my life."
Indigenous people's health and well-being are closely tied to their culture and cultural identity, which are established from a very early age. Grandmothers are sacred in Indigenous communities, playing a vital role by providing a connection to kinship and passing on traditional knowledge — both of which promote healthy environments in early life.
Unfortunately, the damaging effects of colonization disrupted the transfer of traditional knowledge, leading to long-lasting consequences on the physical and mental well-being of Indigenous peoples.
One of the lasting effects of residential schools is that many Indigenous people have lost their language and are disconnected from their culture.
"As a survivor of residential school, I lost all my connections to my culture, and I had no traditional parenting knowledge," says Blackfoot Elder Jackie Bromley of the Kainai Blood Tribe, Treaty 7. "Many younger people remain disconnected from their culture, and they don't know what they should do when they have a baby. If we do not share these teachings, who will?"
The elders participating in this network feel a shared sense of urgency for traditional knowledge to be shared — especially with new mothers.
"It's so important that we teach young mothers how to care for their children," explains Elder Lee. "Each of the grandmothers shares their knowledge in their own way. In Cree culture, we believe a child belongs to the Creator and is only on loan to the parent. Caring for a new life is a sacred duty."
The Grandmothers' Wisdom Network has also been important to the grandmothers who lead it. They support each other, share knowledge and discuss ways to disseminate traditional knowledge within their respective communities.
Traditional knowledge is sacred, and the group is focused on finding culturally appropriate ways of sharing it effectively with Indigenous mothers. They are now working on developing digital stories focused on healthy Indigenous families, along with a booklet that contains cultural teachings and ceremonies to provide guidance on pregnancy, childbirth and early-life care.
Beginning in spring 2025, the grandmothers and trained health-care workers will provide the booklet to Indigenous mothers and their families. Future work will involve health-care providers using the booklet to enhance understanding and awareness of cultural aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and early life among Indigenous peoples. Montesanti and her graduate student, Sarah Demedeiros, work closely with the grandmothers, building trust and relationships to develop these knowledge resources.
"Traditional knowledge has been suppressed for centuries," says Montesanti, who is also a member of the Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI). "These grandmothers are remarkable women who have overcome challenges, and they each work so hard to share their wisdom and knowledge to improve the health of their communities."
This research was supported by the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and the Alberta Women's Health Foundation through WCHRI.
