Status of Women committee  That's a really good question. Thank you. When I think about midwives being in community, certainly in the urban and some of the more rural areas, I believe there has been quite a bit of continuity of care. Midwifery services have continued programming. There were some initial issues around obtaining PPE for communities, but services have continued.

Status of Women committee  Thank you for the opportunity to address your question. I think it's very important right now.... To think that indigenous people will feel okay, with what I've heard, it's not okay to have them necessarily go down south for the remainder of their education. The accessibility of a northern program is absolutely important for all indigenous communities in the north.

Status of Women committee  That's a really, really important question. I think one of the things to point out is that a lot of the time, that kind of programming within the midwifery programs that exist in the three university programs has not necessarily integrated indigenous knowledge, whether it be cultural from elders or from within communities.

Status of Women committee  I can speak for the indigenous communities. We have about 130 indigenous midwives across Canada right now. This is why we are hoping that the federal government will consider additional funding for education and for programs and services in our communities. We are part of the health care system of Canada.

Status of Women committee  I'm most expert in the indigenous communities, of course, but based on my experience of living down in Toronto, there are many practices that serve specifically and very specially LGBTQ2QS communities. We have a very diverse population of clients who have midwifery care. It's diverse, as you can imagine.

Status of Women committee  Thank you. Shekoli. Good morning. I'm speaking to you today from Wasauksing First Nation near Parry Sound. Thank you, committee members, and thank you, Madam Chair. I am honoured to have the opportunity to have a few minutes to share with you some words about the value of indigenous midwifery to the health and wellness of indigenous communities.