ICH009 - IBWC Walking With Grief: Supporting Loss in the Perinatal Period

Course Description

This course was created for Indigenous birth workers and those supporting families through pregnancy and infant loss. We invite you to walk gently through this material with an open heart, knowing that grief work is sacred work. This course explores key topics such as the different types of pregnancy and infant loss and Indigenous understanding of grief and mourning. Learners will engage with teachings on companioning, ceremony, and presence-based care. The course also covers supporting partners, children, community members, and navigating grief within medical and colonial systems. You are reminded to care for yourself as you care for others. 

TRC Calls to Action

Health #18, #19, #20, #22, and #23

This course supports the TRC Calls to Action in the health sector. This course exists today because of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action supporting Indigenous health.

Learning Outcomes

Learners will gain the knowledge, understanding, skills, abilities, attitude, and awareness to:

1. Explain different types of perinatal loss and how they are understood in both clinical and Indigenous contexts.
2. Recognize different grief responses and coping mechanisms.
3. Apply culturally grounded grief support practices, including companioning, ceremony, and community care.
4. Identify ways to support the whole family through loss, including partners, children, and extended kinship networks.
5. Reflect on their grief, healing, and role as a witness and support person in sacred moments of loss.

Skills and Competencies

• Offer culturally grounded grief support for pregnancy and infant loss, integrating Indigenous teachings, ceremony, and presence-based care.
• Apply companioning skills to walk alongside grieving families with empathy, advocacy, and respect for diverse grief responses.
• Support the whole family - partners, children, and kinship networks - using trauma-informed and culturally safe approaches.
• Navigate grief in medial and colonial systems while upholding Indigenous traditions and rights.
• Sustain personal wellness through reflective practice and culturally rooted self-care strategies.

Summary

• Number of hours: 10 hours total 

• Assessment: To pass the course, learners must achieve a score of 80% or higher on the Knowledge Check, which allows multiple attempts. An incomplete course will count as a fail.

• Previous education required: None; this course does not have a required prerequisite.

• Delivery: Online, self-paced

• Completion timeline: Within 180 days from when you enroll in the course.

• Applies toward the following certificates: Beginner in Perinatal Support Professional MicroCredential, Intermediate in Perinatal Support Professional MicroCredential, Advanced in Perinatal Support Professional MicroCredential, or Advanced Perinatal Support Professional MicroCertificate.

FAQ's

Is this course for everyone?

• Yes, this course is relevant to Indigenous birth support workers and those supporting families through pregnancy and infant loss who want to learn culturally responsive practices.

What is the scope of this course?

• This course can be used as continuing education related to supporting the birth process. This, along with other IBWC MicroBadges, works toward a MicroCredential and MicroCertificate.

Some individuals and organizations may be GST-exempt.

• First Nations University of Canada is situated on the Star Blanket First Nation and is exempt from Provincial Sales Tax (PST). If you or your organization are exempt from Government Sales Tax (GST), please get in touch with icec@firstnationsuniversity.ca to ensure that your invoice is prepared accordingly.

I need financial support. What funding options does ICEC recommend?

• Check out our Funding Opportunities here. 

Who do I contact if I need help?

• Check out ICEC's Learner Support page to see if your question is answered in the FAQs. If your question remains unresolved, feel free to complete the form with your question, or you may contact icec@firstnationsuniversity.ca for assistance with any questions. We are here to help! Support requests are received during regular office hours. Please expect a response within 24 to 48 hours. 

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Advanced in Perinatal Support Professional MicroCredential : Advanced in Perinatal Support Professional Micro-Credential
• Beginner in Perinatal Support Professional MicroCredential : Beginner in Perinatal Support Professional Micro-Credential
• Intermediate in Perinatal Support Professional MicroCredential : Intermediate in Perinatal Support Professional Micro-Credential