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Spirit of Birth
1
Season
2025
Canada
SPIRIT OF BIRTH is an intimate docuseries with Anishinabe mother and host, Rebeka Tabobondung, bringing us on a journey to the Indigenous midwives, birth workers, and families who are restoring midwifery and birth practices within their communities.
Episode List
S1 • E1
Birth is Sacred, Healing & Hopeful
In Wasauksing First Nation, host Rebeka Tabobondung (Anishinaabe), reflects with family about her birth story. Rebeka travels to Seventh Generations Midwives Toronto, beginning her journey to learn about restoring birth knowledge.
S1 • E2
Birth is Joy, Family & Community
Brianna's birth story changes with the support of midwife Emma. Rebeka visits northern Cree community of Chisasibi. After decades of lost knowledge, birth is returning home to the land through local services, midwives, and visionaries.
S1 • E3
Birth is Love, Family & Culture
Edith is cared for by midwives during the birth of their fourth child in. Meet Shannon, an aspiring midwife from Chisasibi who is training 1,200km away in Toronto. We learn more about Chisasibi's plan for a new midwifery education program.
S1 • E4
Birth is Life, Land & Survival
Hannah Bearskin recounts her experience giving birth in a "michuap" (teepee). Climate change impacts the Cree community of Chisasibi through raging forest fires. Midwifery services lead evacuation of Elders, pregnant mothers and newborns.
S1 • E5
Birth is Purposeful, Medicinal & Educational
Shannon reunites family in Chisasibi for the summer. Rebeka visits the midwifery practice in Nipissing First Nation, founded by a mother-daughter team. Rebeka attends a midwifery gathering with midwives from coast to coast to coast.
S1 • E6
Birth is Traditional, Ceremonial & Memory
The people of Kehewin are bringing birth back into their community. Rebeka visits their inaugural "birth camp", which provides Cree youth, families, and aspiring midwives with the knowledge to relearn their sacred birth ceremonies.
S1 • E7
Birth is the Future, Connection & Identity
Rebeka travels to Six Nations to visit their midwifery training program. Then, at Toronto's Sunnybrook Hospital, how are Indigenous midwives ensuring culturally grounded care for families? Mothers share their heartfelt birth stories.
S1 • E8
Birth is Sacred, Healing & Hopeful
Rebeka attends SGMT's annual picnic welcoming ceremony for babies. She learns about the Call Auntie program for the BIPOC community in Toronto. Shannon prepares for her move back to Chisasibi. Rebeka and her son receive their Spirit Names.