Water Insecurity and Maternal Health Among Haudenosaunee Women in Canada

ABSTRACT

Water is central to Haudenosaunee knowledge, philosophy, and culture. The health of Haudenosaunee mothers is tied to that of water. Today, the lack of access to reliable drinking water for Six Nations is a significant health concern. Technical measurement of water advisories in Canada fails to understand the interwoven relationship that Haudenosaunee women have with water. Highlighting the voices of 55 Haudenosaunee women, we provide expanded definitions of water insecurity and maternal health to include more-than-human beings. This comprehensive understanding of water insecurity and health shapes SN mothers’ experiences with water in a settler colonial state, affecting their holistic wellbeing.

KEYWORDS:

• Canada
• Indigenous women
• maternal health
• traditional ecological knowledge
• water insecurity

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Stephanie George, Janet Homer and all Ohneganos team members for their help in the project. A special thanks to Sally McKay, Dr. Tina Moffat and Dr. Ellen Badone for generously sharing their comments and thoughts and helping polish the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

We want to express our gratitude to the Global Water Futures (GWF) for funding the Ohneganos research project, and to the Schools of Graduate Studies (SGS), McMaster University, for the Fieldwork Travel Grant.

Notes on contributors

Afroza Sultana

Afroza Sultana recently obtained her PhD in medical anthropology at McMaster University. Her current research focuses on Indigenous/traditional knowledge and its importance in maintaining health and wellbeing.

Julie Wilson

Julie Wilson is the director and supervisor midwife at Six Nations Birthing Center. She utilizes Haudenosaunee and Western medicines to provide services for Six Nations women.

Dawn Martin-Hill

Dawn Martin-Hill is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology and one of the founders of the Indigenous Studies Program at McMaster University, with over 30 years of research experience.

Ashley Lickers

Ashley Lickers is a midwife at the SNBC. She provides extensive care and service to SNBC clients.