Left-Right: Councillor Austin Naytowhow, Councillor Bernard Moosehunter, Councillor Fred Felix, Chief Christine Longjohn, Councillor Solomon Sanderson, Councillor Mark Daniels, and Councillor Anita Parenteau. (Image Credit: Submitted/ Tina Pelletier)

By Nick Nielsen

An option closer to home

Sturgeon Lake First Nation looking to secure long-term funding for new Birthing and Childrearing Lodge

Apr 9, 2026 | 12:42 PM

Leadership at Sturgeon Lake First Nation (SLFN) are working on a solution to keep pregnant mothers at home surrounded by family, instead of having to travel out of town to the nearest hospital.

On April 26, the Shirley Bighead nihtāwikihāwasow and ohpikihāwasowkamik Birthing and Childrearing Lodge is set to open on SLFN, but ahead of its opening they are trying to secure some funding that will help make it last long term. Today, April 9, Chief Christine Longjohn along with councilors and senior officials, is meeting with Jennifer Wheatley, assistant deputy minister of Indigenous Services Canada’s regional delivery sector, in hopes of advance funding options.

“We are hopeful that, through ongoing partnership with Canada, the necessary support will be secured to sustain this care for our families now and into the future,” said Chief Longjohn in a press release.

Designed in accordance to the Inherent Birthing Law enacted by SLFN, the lodge will allow mothers from SLFN and surrounding communities to give birth with the proper processes of Cree ceremony. This will give mothers the opportunity to give birth surrounded by their family, people who speak their own language, all in a safe setting with midwives that have been trained both on and off the First Nation.

This is a process that Chief Longjohn has taken to the international stage. Speaking at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April 2024, Longjohn urged governments to fund Indigenous-led birthing centres in their own countries, citing research that shows culturally sensitive birthing practices improve health outcomes for both parents and the newborn babies.

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“Too often, childbirth for our mothers has meant being sent away from home — into unfamiliar systems, without the support of family or the presence of ceremony,” said Chief Longjohn. “Birth is sacred. It should happen surrounded by love, culture and community.”

Longjohn said that SLFN has invested money into workforce training, infrastructure, professional licensing, community governance, and more. Still, there needs to be more funding to keep the centre running long term, and there are not enough resources available through Maternal Child Health funding.

“We are hopeful that, through ongoing partnership with Canada, the necessary support will be secured to sustain this care for our families now and into the future.”

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

by Nick Nielsen

Sturgeon Lake First Nation looking to secure long-term funding for new Birthing and Childrearing Lodge

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