The purpose of this study was to describe the obstetric hospitalization rates of northern and registered Indian women from April 1, 1992 to March 30, 1993 and to compare them with those of southern rural women in Saskatchewan.<p> Saskatchewan Health provided hospital separation data for 100% of northern and registered Indian women and for a 10% sample of southern rural and southern urban women hospitalized with obstetric diagnoses and procedures in 1992/93.<p> The crude, age-specific, and age-standardized hospitalization rates were based on the number of women of reproductive age or the number of deliveries or pregnancies. The average length of stay and hospital location were examined. Crude and age-adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and chi-square tests were used to compare rates with southern rural women as the reference group. Oneway analysis of variance was used to compare the average length of stay for obstetric episodes among study groups.<p> The rate of obstetric episodes per 100 pregnancies were only 5 to 18% higher for northern women and southern registered Indian women. Northern and registered Indian women had higher rates for deliveries per 1,000 women, for ectopic pregnancies per 1,000 pregnancies, and for antenatal episodes with diabetes or abnormal glucose or with urinary tract infections per 100 pregnancies and lower rates of deliveries with cesarean sections, instrument use and episiotomy. Northern women had higher rates for deliveries with fetal and placental problems and for vaginal birth after cesarean section per 100 deliveries, and lower rates of antenatal episodes with hyperemesis per 100 pregnancies. All registered Indian women had lower rates of labour and delivery complications per 100 pregnancies. The average length of stay for obstetric episodes was similar for all study groups. Over 35% of northern women delivered in northern hospitals.<p> The results support continued northern obstetric practice and provide a baseline for evaluation of health transfer and renewal for northern tribal councils and health districts. The high fertility rates among northern and registered Indian women warrant a high priority on obstetric services, hospital facilities, prenatal care and postnatal care that are age and culture sensitive.<p>

The purpose of this study was to describe the obstetric hospitalization rates of northern and registered Indian women from April 1, 1992 to March 30, 1993 and to compare them with those of southern rural women in Saskatchewan.<p> Saskatchewan Health provided hospital separation data for 100% of northern and registered Indian women and for a 10% sample of southern rural and southern urban women hospitalized with obstetric diagnoses and procedures in 1992/93.<p> The crude, age-specific, and age-standardized hospitalization rates were based on the number of women of reproductive age or the number of deliveries or pregnancies. The average length of stay and hospital location were examined. Crude and age-adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and chi-square tests were used to compare rates with southern rural women as the reference group. Oneway analysis of variance was used to compare the average length of stay for obstetric episodes among study groups.<p> The rate of obstetric episodes per 100 pregnancies were only 5 to 18% higher for northern women and southern registered Indian women. Northern and registered Indian women had higher rates for deliveries per 1,000 women, for ectopic pregnancies per 1,000 pregnancies, and for antenatal episodes with diabetes or abnormal glucose or with urinary tract infections per 100 pregnancies and lower rates of deliveries with cesarean sections, instrument use and episiotomy. Northern women had higher rates for deliveries with fetal and placental problems and for vaginal birth after cesarean section per 100 deliveries, and lower rates of antenatal episodes with hyperemesis per 100 pregnancies. All registered Indian women had lower rates of labour and delivery complications per 100 pregnancies. The average length of stay for obstetric episodes was similar for all study groups. Over 35% of northern women delivered in northern hospitals.<p> The results support continued northern obstetric practice and provide a baseline for evaluation of health transfer and renewal for northern tribal councils and health districts. The high fertility rates among northern and registered Indian women warrant a high priority on obstetric services, hospital facilities, prenatal care and postnatal care that are age and culture sensitive.<p>

Breastfeeding is the optimal form of infant feeding. It appears to protect children from certain childhood diseases that are over represented in the Aboriginal population. Although breastfeeding rates in the general Canadian population have increased over the past two decades, they remain lower than recommended. Rates in the Canadian Aboriginal population are even lower. Breastfeeding literature among Aboriginals is largely demographic and statistical in nature and focuses primarily on First Nations women living on reserves. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the infant feeding decisions of Aboriginal women living in Saskatoon. Data were collected using qualitative methods, including face-to-face interviews and prolonged observation. Between October 2003 and May 2004, interviews were conducted with a total of eight participants recruited from the Food for Thought program in Saskatoon. A semi-structured prenatal interview was followed by two unstructured, in-depth interviews at approximately one month postpartum. The researcher's participation in two weekly Food for Thought sessions over the same time period allowed for prolonged observation. Observations were recorded using field notes and interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Observation and interview data from each participant were analyzed separately for dominant themes and then integrated to establish collective influencing factors. Results indicated influencing factors are numerous and varied in nature. Contextual (sociocultural and environmental), attitudinal, cognitive (knowledge, information and beliefs), experiential (previous infant feeding experiences), and psychological influences were revealed. The principle implication of this study for those involved with the protection, support, and promotion of breastfeeding in this population is that there are many factors capable of influencing feeding decisions. Feeding decisions are not static; they are dynamic and result from the complex interplay between influencing factors. The importance or significance of any single factor is a reflection of the circumstances surrounding the particular feeding decision.

Breastfeeding is the optimal form of infant feeding. It appears to protect children from certain childhood diseases that are over represented in the Aboriginal population. Although breastfeeding rates in the general Canadian population have increased over the past two decades, they remain lower than recommended. Rates in the Canadian Aboriginal population are even lower. Breastfeeding literature among Aboriginals is largely demographic and statistical in nature and focuses primarily on First Nations women living on reserves. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the infant feeding decisions of Aboriginal women living in Saskatoon. Data were collected using qualitative methods, including face-to-face interviews and prolonged observation. Between October 2003 and May 2004, interviews were conducted with a total of eight participants recruited from the Food for Thought program in Saskatoon. A semi-structured prenatal interview was followed by two unstructured, in-depth interviews at approximately one month postpartum. The researcher's participation in two weekly Food for Thought sessions over the same time period allowed for prolonged observation. Observations were recorded using field notes and interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Observation and interview data from each participant were analyzed separately for dominant themes and then integrated to establish collective influencing factors. Results indicated influencing factors are numerous and varied in nature. Contextual (sociocultural and environmental), attitudinal, cognitive (knowledge, information and beliefs), experiential (previous infant feeding experiences), and psychological influences were revealed. The principle implication of this study for those involved with the protection, support, and promotion of breastfeeding in this population is that there are many factors capable of influencing feeding decisions. Feeding decisions are not static; they are dynamic and result from the complex interplay between influencing factors. The importance or significance of any single factor is a reflection of the circumstances surrounding the particular feeding decision.

Violence against Native women in Canada is widespread and has deeply systemic and colonial roots. This paper will attempt to show the role that dominant representations of culture, race, and gender have in allowing this violence to continue by eclipsing many different narratives and ways of expressing cultural and individual identities. Violence in the mainstream media will be explored and analyzed drawing on concepts from critical theories, Aboriginal epistemological frameworks, and anti-racist, disability, and Afro-centric feminisms to build a framework on which to analyze the meanings of the representations. After exploring violent and colonial discourse, the discussion will turn to art. Self and cultural representation and expression by Native women can act as important forms of resistance to the tools of colonial oppression. The artwork of Rebecca Belmore and Shelley Niro are powerful examples of addressing and exploring issues of identity, culture, resistance, and survival for Aboriginal women.

Violence against Native women in Canada is widespread and has deeply systemic and colonial roots. This paper will attempt to show the role that dominant representations of culture, race, and gender have in allowing this violence to continue by eclipsing many different narratives and ways of expressing cultural and individual identities. Violence in the mainstream media will be explored and analyzed drawing on concepts from critical theories, Aboriginal epistemological frameworks, and anti-racist, disability, and Afro-centric feminisms to build a framework on which to analyze the meanings of the representations. After exploring violent and colonial discourse, the discussion will turn to art. Self and cultural representation and expression by Native women can act as important forms of resistance to the tools of colonial oppression. The artwork of Rebecca Belmore and Shelley Niro are powerful examples of addressing and exploring issues of identity, culture, resistance, and survival for Aboriginal women.

The purpose of this participatory action research study was to gain an awareness of the meanings of health for urban First Nations grandmothers, and how they promote it in their families and communities. Active participation of 7 urban First Nations grandmothers in the research process involved 4 group and 1 individual interview. Meanings of health included maintaining balance in all areas of life; physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Control imposed through the residential schools resulted in secrets kept, yet the survival and resiliency of the grandmothers were identified as part of being healthy. Personal health was linked with the health of their families and communities, and an awareness of living in two cultures vital in the intergenerational transmission of knowledge. Relationships with grandchildren were catalysts for change, and the grandmothers described working to “turn it around” throughout their challenges in health and life, as one strategy for health promotion. / ix, 146 leaves ; 29 cm