funding

Doula care is currently a private health care service, meaning it is not covered by MSP. There are several ways to fund your doula care, some possibilities include:

– accessing available grant funding (see below)
– saving up or fundraising
– asking your friends or family to gift you with doula care (for example, as a baby shower present)
– checking with your band if funding is available

We understand that many families cannot afford to pay for doula care, and at the same time, we believe that all Indigenous families who desire access to doula care should have it, as our ancestors did. We also believe that Indigenous birth workers deserve a fair wage to sustain their necessary work. We have been working for several years to build relationships with local and provincial organizations to make Indigenous doula care accessible and sustainable. Currently, the following funding opportunities are available for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit families:

Doula grant program
The Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program is administered by the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres. The DAFGP provides self-identifying Indigenous families with up to $1000 to fund a doula, who must be registered with the Grant Program. You can find more information here. 

Jordan’s Principle
Funding may be available for First Nations people to access doula care through Jordan’s principle. You can find more information here.