The UBC Learning Circle is pleased to host Perinatal Services BC‘s “Honouring our Babies: Safe Sleep Cards & Guide.” This new resource will help service providers discuss safe infant sleep practices with First Nations and Aboriginal families and help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Honouring Our Babies is interactive, evidence-informed, and incorporates cultural beliefs, practices, and issues specific to First Nations and Aboriginal communities. The tools include a deck of 21 discussion cards and seven illustrated cards that health care workers can use to prompt and guide discussions with families about safe infant sleep as well as a facilitator’s guide with more information on each card’s topic, research, resources, and graphics.
SIDS is the death of a baby under one year of age which is sudden, unexpected and without a clear cause. SIDS usually happens during sleep or napping and is the most common cause of death in babies between the ages of one month and one year. Although the exact cause or causes of SIDS are not known, there are clear safe sleep practices that are known to reduce a baby’s risk for SIDS. In 2009, a report from the BC Coroners Service showed that Aboriginal babies in BC were four times more likely to die from SIDS than non-Aboriginal babies. In response, a special Tripartite working group was formed between First Nations and federal and provincial governments as well as content experts to develop a culturally appropriate safe sleep training initiative that could be incorporated into existing programs and services. The project was led by Perinatal Services BC, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority.
This free workshop is oriented towards service providers, health professionals, and those that work with First Nations and Aboriginal families and their babies. Interested community members are also welcome to attend.
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2013
Time: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Participate live via videoconference OR computer webinar. Want to know the difference between videoconference and computer webinar? Click here to find out.
Session Objectives
This Learning Circle aims to:
- Present current research, rates, and theory on SIDS
- Describe the historical and contextual factors associated with the high rates of SIDS in First Nations and Aboriginal communities
- Explore seven key safe sleep practices that reduce the risk of SIDS (based on PSBC Safe Sleep Guidelines 2011)
- Provide an understanding of how to use the Safe Sleep Cards and Facilitator’s Guide
About the Presenters
Adam King, MPH (Provincial Lead, Health Promotion and Prevention, Perinatal Services BC) has led maternal-child health promotion and prevention initiatives at the international level through UNICEF and the Aga Khan Foundation, at the federal and provincial levels through the Public Health Agency of Canada, and at the regional level through the Fraser Health Authority. With an interest in the systemic and behavioural factors affecting maternal-child health outcomes, Adam has focused his expertise in the areas of systems strengthening and population-based behaviour change strategies. Adam is also a designated lead trainer for the WHO-UNICEF Care for Child Development Intervention, which strengthens the capacity of healthcare workers to promote healthy infant growth and development practices among families.
Lucy Barney, RN BSN MSN- Perinatal Nurse Consultant (Statlimx Nation) is the Aboriginal Lead at Perinatal Services BC, a role which she has been in since January 2008.
Previously, Lucy was the Program Manager of Chee Mamuk at the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Aboriginal HIV/AIDS education program for nine years. Here she oversaw innovative health promotion projects such as the “Chako Project” for youth based on traditional coming-of-age teachings, a ceremony that teaches individual self-responsibility in the transition from child to adulthood. Lucy also lead the “Gathering Tree,” a beautiful children’s book that deals with HIV and stigma in the family and community, which was distributed to schools, health centres and organizations throughout BC, Canada, and the world. In addition, she headed the “Around the Kitchen Table” prevention and health promotion project that builds on the strength of Aboriginal women, returning to their traditional roles as nurturers, teachers and givers of life.
Lucy developed the Braid Theory, an astute cultural metaphor for wellness. When hair is braided, it becomes strong. Braids have three strands—the Mind—emotions, thoughts, addiction issues, and feelings; the Body—physical health; and the Spirit—the strength of spirituality that provides Aboriginal people with a sense of belonging, pride, culture, ceremony, traditional education, medicine, prayer, responsibility, etc. Braiding the mind, body and spirit creates a healthy, holistic person. When we do not braid our hair or keep our mind, body and spirit healthy and strong, we become weak and vulnerable to illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, unhealthy pregnancies, diabetes, and other conditions.
Lucy’s own life experience as a First Nation woman, mother and traditional dancer bring enormous commitment, dedication, and creativity to her work. Her voice as a leader is crucial. She is a model of strong, innovative leadership in the Aboriginal community. She completed her Master’s of Science in Nursing at the University of British Columbia while working full time at Chee Mamuk.
Lucy was awarded an ACCOLAIDS Award for Innovative programming, May 2006. She also received an Outstanding Alumni Award for community service from Langara College in 2007.
Currently, Lucy and the staff at Perinatal Services BC and the Tripartite First Nation Maternal-Child Committee are working on strategies to assist existing programs and to develop programs on maternal-child health that will allow Aboriginal people access to culturally appropriate services.
Resources
Honouring Our Babies Safe Sleep Backgrounder
PowerPoint
Click here to download a copy of today’s PowerPoint presentation.
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