Belly button keepsakes a symbol of connection to culture and family

A Mtis doula hopes to empowerIndigenous women by sharing the culturalpracticeof keeping and honouring their child'sumbilical cordstump after birth.

Candace Neumann, a Red River Mtis doula based in Winnipeg,hasworked with Anishinaabe and Cree communities across Canada and the Navajo Nation.

After the umbilical cord is cut following birth, a stump remains attached to the infant at their belly button. It falls off a few weeks later.

Neumann has learneddifferent teachings fromIndigenous communities that keep the umbilical cord stump.

"That's that connectionthe baby has to its parents, to its mama and to its ancestors,"Neumann said.

"It really helps to ground us, and heal us, and heal the land and our communities, our families. We're all worthy of that sacredness."

Neumann said somekeepthe umbilical cord in a mini pouch, similar to a medicine bag, or another special container. She saidit can be hung on the tikinagan (cradleboard)while others may choose to bury it with the placenta.

Neuman saidbecause some cultural traditions were lost over time due to colonization, some peopleare unaware of the practice.

Neumann will be teaching a workshop on how to makethe special pouches at Mentoring Artists for Women's Art Wednesdayin Winnipeg.

Placed in a rattle

Marlena Muir, a Cree Mtis mom of two from Selkirk, Man., said she hopestaking part in traditional practices like keeping the umbilical cordwill give her children a sense of purpose and place in the world.

"With the belly buttons, what my mother-in-law did, we kept the belly buttons after they fell off, and [she] made a rattle, and put the belly button inside the rattle," said Muir.

Muir saidwhen her son is old enough, the rattle will be given to him, or his grandmother may keep it for him.

Muir also buriedher placenta where her children had familial land from their father's side, near Sandy Bay First Nation.

She saiditems kept or buried with theumbilical cordand the placenta are meaningful.

"If we want them to do well in school, we'll put in a notebook," she said.

"If we want them to be good hunters, we'll put in a mini bow and arrow. It's all about setting those intentions for what you want your child to have in life."

Yukon hospital providespouches

As part of First Nations health programs at Whitehorse General Hospital,pouches to hold the umbilical stump are provided to every new Indigenous momas part of a welcome kit for their newborns.

Darla Jean Lindstrom, the hospital's cultural programs co-ordinator,saidwomen in various neighbouring communities have participated in making the pouches for the program. The kits also include an information card about the meaning of the pouches and postpartum tea.

"In my family, we pray each other in, and pray each other out," said Lindstrom,who is Tagish and Tlingitfrom Carcross, Yukon.

"If the opportunity presents itself, we can say a little prayer with the baby.It's given after the birth."

Lindstrom saidtaking part in cultural practices is importantfor health and well-being.

"It's about reconnecting with who we are as Indigenous people, and we're honourable people from birth to death, and beyond."