Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc grad offers midwifery care close to home

Sage Thomas of Tk'emlúps te Secwe̓pemc is making history in Kamloops as the only registered Indigenous midwife in British Columbia currently serving her home community.

As a newly graduated maternity care provider, Sage says she feels a real sense of accomplishment and is excited for what the future holds.

“I have found my passion,” she shares.

Born and raised in Kamloops, Sage credits the birth of her first child in 2010 as the inspiration behind her career choice. During Sage’s own birthing experience, she felt her midwife provided safe care and support and a sense of control over her birthing decisions.

“I thought, ‘Wow, this is something I can do for other Indigenous families,’” she recalls.

That realization launched a 15-year journey beginning in 2011 with doula training followed by a decade working in Kamloops with a focus on Indigenous families.

Along the way, she raised her own children while upgrading her education, working in childcare, and completing an art program at the En'owkin Centre and an Associate of Arts degree with a focus on anthropology and sociology at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in 2021.

A pivotal moment came for Sage when she attended a home birth as a doula where the family incorporated Indigenous ceremonial practices. Later, she was invited to the baby’s naming ceremony.

“That was a huge eye-opener for me. I thought, this is what an Indigenous birthing experience could look like.”

Sage started her midwifery studies through UBC in 2021 and gave birth to her youngest daughter in 2022 while attending school. She stayed committed to the program, which was a combination of online courses and in-person studies at BC Women’s Hospital over four years, including clinical placements at Sage Hills Community Midwives and Mighty Oak Midwifery in Kamloops whom Sage thanks for their ongoing support.

“The first year was very academic-heavy. But as you progress you move into clinical placements, on-call work, charting and learning all the hands-on skills. It is demanding and gets more demanding as you go,” she says.

She describes every birth she attends as special.

“It’s always a beautiful moment. I get emotional every time.”

Sage completed her final UBC exam in April, the Canadian Midwifery Registration exam in October and received her graduation certificate in November. But she admits she still has moments of disbelief.

“It’s crazy sometimes to think when I’m answering the phone or ordering prescriptions or labs, that I’m a registered midwife. The last 15 years just flew by from when I said to myself, ‘I want to be a midwife,’ and now I’m here.”

Sage plans to prioritize her practice at Mighty Oak Midwifery with Indigenous families first, as well as Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) and immigrant families, incorporating her own knowledge of Secwépemc cultural practices and language into the care she provides. Sage is one of five midwives serving the Thompson Nicola region from this clinic.

Altogether, Kamloops has 12 registered midwives who attend more than 20 per cent of the births at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH).

Elaine Barnes, Midwifery Department head at RIH, said seeing the first Indigenous UBC Midwifery graduate to have returned home to lead care in her own community is a deeply meaningful homecoming and one that fills her with hope for the future.

“It reflects what Call to Action 23, from the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 calls to action, looks like in practice: supporting Indigenous midwives to train, return home and lead care in their own communities,” says Elaine.

“We are honoured to see that leadership come full circle and are thrilled for Sage and for the families she will serve."

Sage’s achievements have also been recognized by Tk'emlúps te Secwe̓pemc Chief and Council, who sent her a congratulatory letter she described as “very special.”

Sage credits her mother, a solo parent who pursued her own higher education, for instilling resilience and determination. “My mom taught me I don’t have to give up on myself just because high school didn’t work out. Once I found my passion, I had the drive to keep going.”

As she settles into her role, Sage already has her sights set on one day opening an Indigenous-led birthing centre in Kamloops.

“I envision this centre where we can have a space with a kitchen, where little ones feel safe and families as a whole can be welcomed,” says Sage. “I think it would be really great to have a place where families that need to travel into Kamloops to birth could come and stay for a couple days if they need to and for it to be a holistic, family-centred place, incorporating all generations from elders to little ones, with Knowledge Keepers, traditional medicines, and traditional plants outside to support pregnancy and birth ceremony.”

Sage says she’d also like to offer traditional Indigenous Moontime teachings to support and celebrate menstrual health and wellness, coming-of-age ceremonies and sexual health education and health age care.

To find out more or to seek care with a registered midwife, please visit the Midwives Association of British Columbia's website.

Individuals interested in providing midwifery services in Kamloops are encouraged to contact Elaine Barnes for further information at elaine.barnes@interiorhealth.ca.