Honouring Ancient Birthing Practices of First Nations People on Invasion Day
Djap Wurrung birthing tree (IMAGE: The Guardian)
As Australia Day, or more appropriately termed Invasion Day, approaches, it is vital to reflect on the rich cultural heritage of First Nations people and the devastating impact colonisation has had on their practices. Among these are ancient birthing traditions, which embody profound connections to land, spirituality, and community.
For over 80,000 years, First Nations women practiced culturally safe birthing on Country, supported by grandmothers and aunties in sacred ceremonies rooted in the Dreaming. These practices included rituals like placenta burial, believed to connect the baby to Ancestor guidance and ensure family well-being. Colonisation disrupted these traditions, replacing them with Western medicalised systems that often disregarded Indigenous knowledge.
Today, initiatives like the Djäkamirr Project and Aboriginal Family Birthing Programs are reclaiming these traditions by blending Indigenous and Western care models. These programs have significantly improved health outcomes for First Nations mothers and babies by reducing preterm births and promoting culturally sensitive care.
To support this movement, explore organisations like VACCHO, which provides culturally safe maternity services, or read the research paper ‘‘Challenging the colonisation of birth: Koori women’s birthing knowledge and practice’ for a deeper dive into Fist Nations birthng and postpartum pracitices. You could also refer to the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast, which challenges Western birthing norms while uplifting Indigenous perspectives, and bases the podcast on the research paper mentioned above. By engaging with these resources, we can honour First Nations wisdom and advocate for a future that respects their enduring cultural practices.
Let’s honour First Nations wisdom by learning about their enduring cultural practices and advocating for their preservation. Together, we can take steps toward reconciliation by amplifying Indigenous voices and supporting their right to reclaim what colonisation sought to erase.
For further resources, review the list below:
Pregnancy and Birthing - Common Ground First Nations https://www.commonground.org.au/article/pregnancy-and-birthing
Ngangkita Ngartu (Aboriginal Family Birthing Program) https://www.wch.sa.gov.au/patients-visitors/women/pregnancy-services/aboriginal-family-birthing-program
The Great Birth Rebellion - Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/the-great-birth-rebellion/id1639430316
[PDF] BIRTHING: ABORIGINAL WOMEN JILPIA NAPPALJARI JONES* http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/JlIndigP/2012/8.pdf
More support for birthing on Country | Health Portfolio Ministers https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/senator-the-hon-malarndirri-mccarthy/media/more-support-for-birthing-on-country
The Great Birth Rebellion - Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-great-birth-rebellion/id1639430316
Traditional Aboriginal birthing practices in Australia: Past and present https://www.researchgate.net/publication/215781043_Traditional_Aboriginal_birthing_practices_in_Australia_Past_and_present
Birthing healthy and strong babies on Country https://www.health.gov.au/news/mrff-birthing-healthy-and-strong-babies-on-country [9] The Great Birth Rebellion - Melanie the Midwife https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion
Replanting the birthing trees | Pursuit by the University of Melbourne https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/replanting-the-birthing-trees
Maternity and Early Years - VACCHO https://www.vaccho.org.au/kms-2/
Australian Midwifery History Archive (full access to ‘Challenging the colonisation of birth: Koori women’s birthing knowledge and practice https://australianmidwiferyhistory.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Adams-et-al-2018-Challenging-colonisation-of-birth.pdf
