A Miscarriage Memoir
From an Indigenous woman's perspective
by Laurie Decontie

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When Laurie and Joe found out they were going to have a baby, they were very excited. They told a few friends, picked out a name for the baby, and even started a flower garden for their little one. But on the day of her ultrasound, Laurie found out the baby didn’t have a heartbeat. What followed next was the heartbreaking process of miscarriage. In this memoir, Laurie shares some of her most memorable moments, from the time she realized she was losing her baby to her personal healing process. Though writing this book was difficult for Laurie, she feels the topic of miscarriage isn’t discussed enough, causing many women to suffer in silence. She hopes this book will help other women feel more empowered to share their stories. She also hopes her story will help women feel less alone. Told from an Indigenous point of view, A Miscarriage Memoir offers readers insight into a woman’s pain and recovery. It also provides resources and healthy coping tips that First Nations Bands and Tribes can use to support the women in their communities who may feel like they have few options.

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“The life cycle that we see today is spring. It is that time of renewal of life and as we observe we see the leaves come out in the trees again. We hear the birds singing, we hear the little animals as they are running through the forest. The medicines begin to grow again. This is the life cycle. Spring is the time of cleansing, a time of healing. It is a time of growing flowers. It is the month of the flowers – May. This is how we define the month of May. The month of the flowers. Flowers are beautiful. So these nature cycles that stay with us today, the life cycles. We learn how to work with it, to work with joy and gratitude for that life and take care of that life because we are responsible. All people are responsible for the life” Seeing the Light through the Heart of an Indian : An Interview with Frank DeContie– Published July 1, 2001 By Carol Bedrosian, Spirit of Change Book review: Alex Brascoupe, RN (retired) Ursula Cote, BScN, RN, CNeoN(C) Deb Meness, awaiting info

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Laurie Decontie is from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Nation and the Penobscot Nation, and her Indigenous language, culture, and family are precious to her. She has occupied various roles throughout her life, including as an early childhood educator, a receptionist, and a curriculum developer for Algonquin language preservation and revitalization. These positions within her community have helped her keep grounded for mino pimàdiziwin (good life). Laurie can be reached at amiscarriagememoir@gmail.com

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Contributors

Author

Laurie Decontie

Photographer

Alice Beaudoin

Photographer

Debbie Lacasse