SLMHC Update
First Newborn at the new Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre is pleased to announce the birth of the first newborn in our new maternity ward.
Barb Linkewich, Vice President of Health Services, announced early this morning, “The first baby that was born "on record" in our new health centre occurred Sunday afternoon, November 7, 2010 at approximately 2:55 PM. We are very happy about the safe delivery of the new baby girl, Shayla. Both mom and baby are doing very well".
Shayla weighed in at 7 pounds and 14 ounces, and has brown hair and gray eyes. Proud parents are Brad Meekis and Tamara Quezence of Kejick Bay, Lac Seul First Nation.
The staff of Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Center in prior weeks donated items to be bundled up in a gift basket which was presented to Tamara and Shayla by Barb Linkewich. The gift basket contained a variety of beautiful items for baby and family. One very special gift was a "odis-shiiwash", a pouch for the baby's belly button.
Helen Cromarty, Special Advisor to First Nations Health, said, "There is a belief and teaching amongst the Ojibwe and Oji-Cree people about the "odis", the belly button. When an unborn child is in the comfort of their mother's womb, they are connected to their mother by the umbilical cord. It is through the umbilical cord they get their nutrition and oxygen. Once they are born the umbilical cord is cut and the baby is able to breathe on its own and so begins to feel their new surroundings.
Days later, the umbilical cord is dry and will fall off as now they have a belly button formed underneath. The dry piece is then placed in a small beaded pouch with a short braided strap called a "odis-shiiwash", and is securely sewn up. The "odis-shiiwash" is then hung or safety pinned on the baby's tikinaagan, moss bag, or close to their crib. The child at a later age is taught to keep their "odis" for the rest of their life.
The teaching is that the "odis" is a reminder to the child to always stay close to their mother and have a good relationship, and therefore also symbolic of staying connected to Mother Earth, the provider of all goodness.
It is also to teach a child to “not always be digging around” for things, but to be of sound, peaceful behavior and character.
As part of our Traditional Healing Program and being a Centre of Excellence, we feel that it is important to remind our young families of this "Bimaadiziwin" teaching. This teaching has been passed on throughout the generations and it’s primarily to help a child develop a strong sense of belonging to their family, community and their environment, and their cultural identity".
Ms. Christine Keesic of Lac Seul First Nation had made several beaded "odis-shiiwashan" months earlier. A small committee comprised of staff members will be deciding on what basis these belly button bags will be given as gifts to newborns. The committee has talked about the idea that a belly button bag would be given to a newborn born on special dates like Christmas Day, New Year's Day, the beginning of a new season and a few other holidays. The final decision will be announced at a later date.
Mary King of Pikangikum First Nation, during an Elders Council gathering in mid October 2010 had presented a large version of a "odis-shiiwash" to the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. This is proudly displayed on the Maternity Ward in the new health centre.
Barb Linkewich added, "On behalf of our Board, Senior Management, all the staff in our Maternity Ward, we wish the family health, wellness and well-being, and we extend a big congratulations to the proud parents, Brad and Tamara".
For more information contact:
Mrs. Barb Linkewich, Vice President of Health Services
Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre
1 Meno Ya Win Way
Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B4
Telephone 807-737-3030 ext. 6539
Email: