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My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake,
it will be the artists who give them their spirit back.
Louis Riel
In collaboration with Juniper Midwives, Heart Lodge is the manifestation of the collective desires of a dedicated group of Indigenous midwives, mothers, and birth workers who envision the rekindling of traditional models of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting care.
Our mission is to support the flourishing of intergenerational love and healing, through culture, craft, and community cohesion.
At Heart Lodge, we believe that art is medicine. Whether it be the art of beading, breast/chestfeeding, or birthwork, our physical space has been lovingly designed to hold emotional, mental and spiritual space for the creative processes of caring for one another and ourselves.
The "heart" of Heart Lodge is our Indigenous Birth Worker Strategy. Which aims to match an Indigenous doula with each family who wishes to have one, and foster the revitalization of Indigenous midwives through mentorship and advocacy.
Alycia Two Bears
I'm Alycia Two Bears, a proud member of Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation but I call Mohkinstsis home. A mixed blooded iskwew; my mother Karen Hines is a white settler of Swedish descent and my father is Keith Head.
I am a Traditional Full Spectrum Birth Worker and Clan Mother at The Moss Bag Project.
I practice birthing as ceremony and support those accessing my care, from this perspective. I believe that supporting pregnant and birthing bodies is one of the greatest actions we can embrace to grow a strong, healthy, viable community. In love and reciprocity, I offer my traditional knowledge regarding, moon time, pregnancy, and birthing to both the community and fellow care providers. As a mother to five children, I am an advocate for home births, midwives and access to the best birth options for every birthing body.
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Tansi, Wapasoos Nisiyikason
Hello, my name is Fair One, a name given to me by my Moosom, Hairy Alook. My English name is Charity Wenger. I am from the traditional territory of the Woodland Cree in Wabasca, Alberta which is Bigstone Cree in Nation Treaty 8 Territory. I am a mother of 8 and a grandmother of 1. I have been an Indigenous birth worker for 20 years and have had the honor of supporting many women to birth their babies in strength and safety. I am currently pursuing an education in Midwifery at Mount Royal University. I am passionate about our first ceremony earth side (birth) and look forward to journeying with families during this beautiful time in their lives.
Charity Wenger
Dehga Scott
I am Tłı̨chǫ Dene, from Yellowknife, NT. My grandparents are the late Joe Suzie and Julie Mackenzie of Behchoko. I am a mother of two children and one angel. I come from a long line of strong leaders and my great grandmother was a traditional midwife throughout the Tłı̨chǫ Territory.
I have always been interested in birth work from a young age, I originally wanted to become a midwife; although my life has since taken me on a different path. Working within the medical field at various jobs, I saw the gap within our healthcare system and wanted to create change. I wanted to understand why Indigenous parents who live in remote communities are required to leave for the birth of their child without support from family and friends and with a disconnect from culture and traditions. My goal when I went to school was to create change within the birth community, and the way I believe we can do that is by creating an Indigenous Birthworkers Training program that revitalizes our traditional birthing practices and by bringing communities together as we support new parents in their journey.
Kristie Billard
My passion for midwifery and supporting women through prenatal, birth and postpartum came from having my three babies with midwives. My Grandmother Olive Onespot is from Tsuut'ina and my heart lies in serving Indigenous communities.
I have a background of 20 years in Alberta health care and laboratory medicine. I recently completed courses in Indigenous studies and women and gender studies and I am working on completing my Dona certification for postpartum Doula. As a Doula I support and nurture new moms while they adjust to life with a newborn.
Weaving culture and care into the next generation is how we continue to heal our communities. Wrap around care that supports women along this sacred journey instills self confidence in their parenting and decision making. Support and access to knowledge and resources strengthens new parents and families and helps them to thrive in their new roles.
Reconciliation starts by serving our people with culturally sensitive, trauma informed care within safe spaces. I am excited to be able to offer services to women and families and hold space to share our ancestral knowledge and stories and create community.