Remembering Becky June “Miigwaans” Holden and her work in Indigenous Midwifery 

The Indigenous Midwifery team and the AOM are mourning the loss of our colleague and dear friend, Becky June “Miigwaans” Holden. Becky passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at Grey Bruce Hospice Chapman House in Owen Sound on Feb. 12, 2026, at the age of 42.

Becky worked with the AOM’s Indigenous Midwifery team as a Policy Analyst and was a key part of advancing Indigenous midwifery in Treaty 3 and across the North. Her work, and the way she carried it, had a deep impact on the communities, midwives and colleagues she walked alongside. Her Anishinaabe name, Miigwaans, means “Little Feather” and was given to her when she worked at Grand Council Treaty 3.

Becky played an important role in supporting community-driven pathways to bring birth home. She was instrumental in creating the Community Readiness Grants (CRGs), which support First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities to explore Indigenous Midwifery Programs (IMPs) and lay the groundwork for future applications. Her policy work was always grounded in relationships and in listening to what communities were asking for. 

We are honoured to have had Becky on the Indigenous Midwifery team very soon after we started in 2017. Since that time, she had been a humble, gentle and strong community voice in the Treaty 3 area. We could not have advanced our work in the north without her. Because of Becky, many band council resolutions were created to support bringing birth home. 

She took the time out to attend community gatherings and bring understanding to the value of midwifery in healing the community with her policy work for the AOM. 

I feel a deep sense of loss with the passing of Becky. I know she will want us to continue the work she started in Kenora, in Treaty 3. Rest in peace, Becky. We lift up our hearts to you. 

— Ellen Kanika Tsi Tsa Blais, Haudenosaunee Midwife and AOM Co-CEO 

The same care Becky brought to her policy work was present in her relationships with colleagues.

Becky had such a warm, calm energy and exuded kindness and openness every time we met. She made interactions easy and was so inclusive. She was so thoughtful as a colleague and always expressed appreciation for even the smallest things.  

She had such insight and intelligence that she shared so gently yet impactfully. She also had a great and light sense of humour. I felt so fortunate to work with her and am so sad that we have lost her. 

— Pauline Matthews, Administrator, AOM-Indigenous Midwifery 

 Midwives and partners who worked alongside Becky in Treaty 3 also shared how deeply her work and presence were felt.

Becky’s work advocated for much-needed change and inclusion of Indigenous midwifery — changes that would bring about better care for women, young girls and infants. At the core of her work, she helped bring our communities and Nations to a better place and with better beginnings. 

We loved and trusted her, something we do not say lightly. Midwifery is everything to us and we loved sharing our work with Becky.  

We know that Becky made a huge difference for the future of Indigenous midwifery, particularly in Treaty 3. She quietly and with care helped lead a revolution to bring Indigenous midwifery back to the North. Her recognition of the importance of Indigenous midwifery made her such a great ally. 

We will miss her and we see what a beautiful human she was, and that she walked with us for far too short of a time. 

— Carol Couchie, Registered Midwife from Nipissing First Nation, and Dr. Karen Lawford, Anishinaabe midwife from Lac Seul First Nation

Becky will be deeply missed by her family, friends, colleagues and the many communities whose lives she touched. We hold her memory close and remain committed to carrying forward the work that Becky cared about so deeply.