Midwives hold space in times of crisis. We give voice to those who have been silenced. Even when hope feels buried under floods, fires, and rising instability, we persist—because we must. Because it is what we do.
Indigenous midwives have always known that the Earth, much like the body, knows what to do. It also knows how to regenerate. It sheds, renews, and heals. It is resilient—like a parent, like a mother. But healing takes time. Healing, takes action. And care.
Midwives are essential to health systems and are needed to ensure reproductive justice. The climate crisis is a crisis of care—disrupting lives and disproportionately impacting Indigenous, Black, racialized, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, and people in the Global South. It threatens the right to birth safely, parent securely, and access sexual and reproductive healthcare consistently.
This position statement began with a member resolution at a CAM AGM back in 2019. It is the result of the collaboration between midwives, CAM staff, partners and experts in the field of climate science. This is more than a position statement—it is a call to action. Reproductive justice and climate justice are one in the same. We must act now to protect rights, equity, and the future of care of families everywhere.
Another world is possible, and we are committed to pushing forward—toward something stronger, something more equitable. Because this is about renewal.
It will not be easy, but we will get there.
CJ Blennerhassett,
President,
Canadian Association of Midwives
