Kenhtè:ke Midwives
Meet the team
Miranda Brant
Onkwehón:we Midwife
Hello everyone, my name is Tewahséhtha (Miranda Brant). I am Mohawk, turtle clan from Kenhtè:ke (Tyendinaga) and I am a midwife at Kenhtè:ke Midwives. I have been working and learning at Kenhtè:ke Midwives since we opened our doors in May 2012 and prior to becoming a midwife I was a birth doula here in our community.
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I completed my Birth Doula Training through Dona International as well as breastfeeding support classes in Toronto in 2010. I then worked as a Birth Doula supporting women and their growing families.
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It was my older sister that first introduced me to midwifery when she had her first child in 2004. With the help of her midwife she had her first child at home surrounded by family who sang our new baby into this world and I was hooked. I was very interested in birth and by the time I had my own children, both with the support of midwives, I knew that I was a midwife waiting to be trained.
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It is who I am. It is where I fit in my community. I was born in Belleville Ontario and grew up here in Kenhtè:ke. I am proud to call Kenhtè:ke home and am now raising my own family here. My husband and I are both from Kenhtè:ke and are raising our two children active in the Kanyen’kéha language and culture. Our girls are both first language Mohawk speakers and I hope that one day they will have the opportunity to raise their children in the language as well. I am excited and honored to be helping families bring their babies into the world in whichever way is best for them and helping parents and babies start their lives together confidently!
Iekonsiio Brant
Onkwehón:we Midwife
She:kon, my name is Iekonsiio Brant, I am a 26-year old Onkwehonwe mother of two and Midwife. My interest in midwifery began after the birth of my first daughter in 2015. That experience sparked a deep curiosity and respect for pregnancy, birth and the care that surrounds it.
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Over the years, that initial interest has grown into a full commitment to the midwifery model of care. I am especially passionate about informed choice, continuity of care and supporting indigenous families in having safe and culturally grounded birth experiences.
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Midwifery, to me, is more than a profession- It is a way to support our people, protect birth knowledge, and build trust in the process. I am committed to growing as a Midwife who is skilled, compassionate and rooted in both indigenous and evidence-based practices.
Julie Wilson
Onkwehón:we Midwife
Shekon, my name is Julie Wilson and I have been the Midwifery Lead with Kenhtè:ke Midwives for the past 5 years. I have been a Midwife since 1997 and have been working at Six Nations Birth Center since 1999. I am elated to be bringing my 28 years of experience to Tyendinaga to help grow our team.
Next to Midwifery, my greatest achievement in life is my family. I am the proud mother of 5 beautiful children who make all of the challenges the Midwifery lifestyle brings with it, so worth it.
Erin Ferrante
Administrative Lead
I am the Administrative Lead at Kenhtè:ke Midwives, bringing over 11 years of experience in administration and Human Resources within Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. With an educational background in health sciences, I am proud to combine my skills and knowledge in a role that supports Indigenous health and wellbeing.
As a Haudenosaunee woman, working in my own community for my people is both an honour and a responsibility I hold close. I live here in Tyendinaga with my husband and two children, and I am deeply committed to helping build a strong, culturally grounded future for the next generations.
Kristy Martin
Apprentice Onkwehón:we Midwife
She:kon,
My name is Kristy Martin (Brinklow) and I am a Mohawk, turtle clan woman originally from Six Nations. I am the mother of four children whom I raise with my husband on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, the home of his family and community.
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I have been a Midwife Assistant for 2.5 years where I provided and supported mothers and families within our community with excellent, positive care. I also supported our midwives with administration, prenatal/postpartum care, labour checks and continuous learning.
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As I transition from Midwife Assistant, I am deeply honored to begin my journey as an Onkwehón:we Midwife Apprentice at Kenhtè:ke Midwives. This transition represents an important step in my personal and professional growth. I am eager to learn more from the Midwives, and families I will have the privilege to work with. I look forward to supporting mothers, babies and families through their birthing journeys and contributing to the continuation of Onkwehón:we birth knowledge and practices.
Samantha Spencer
Apprentice Onkwehón:we Midwife
She:kon, my name is Samantha Spencer and I am a dedicated Onkwehon:we Midwifery Apprentice, learning and growing in my role for the past four years. My passion for midwifery began with my own experience-I was supported by Kenhtè:ke Midwives during my last pregnancy with my twin boys, an experience that inspired me to walk this path myself.
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I hold a diploma in Social Service Work and bring a deep understanding of both community care and cultural knowledge to my work. A proud mother of four, I live and work in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory and am known for my gentle, kind and loving approach with families. My dedication to learning and supporting Onkwehon:we families, makes me a cherished part of our team.
Karoniaketskwas Maracle
House Mother
As the House Mother at Kenhtè:ke Midwives, I hold space for care, comfort, and connection within the home. My role is rooted in supporting the Midwives so they can focus fully on the powerful work of caring for families. I make sure their daily needs are met—whether that means preparing nourishing meals, keeping the space clean and organized, or simply being present.
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I believe a welcoming, peaceful home is just as important as the clinical care we offer. I take pride in creating an environment where everyone who walks through the door—Midwives, clients, and community members—feels safe, supported, and at ease. Every detail contributes to that feeling of home.
My work is guided by a deep sense of responsibility and love for this community. It’s an honor to care for the space where new life begins and families are supported. Whether I’m helping behind the scenes or offering a quiet moment of comfort, I’m proud to be part of a team that upholds care, respect, and connection in everything we do.
Kaila White
Community Programming & Administrative Assistant
She:kon, I’m Kaila White, the Community Programming and Administrative Assistant at Kenhtè:ke Midwives. I joined the team in 2023 after working as an Esthetician in Kingston for over 15 years. My background in client care and wellness has given me a strong foundation for supporting families and organizing community programs.
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I’m passionate about contributing to the health and well-being of our community and proud to be part of a team that provides culturally grounded midwifery care rooted in Haudenosaunee values.
Board of directors
Stacia Loft
Chairperson
Stacia L. Loft (Ie’khahatahkhe) is Kanien’keha:ka from Kenhte:ke (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory). Stacia has had the privilege of working in local, provincial, national and international Indigenous spaces for the past 18 years. Stacia is completing her final year of the Juris Doctor program at Queen’s Law and will graduate in 2020.
Stacia is also completing her second term as an elected Band Councillor with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, holding the Housing and Community Well-Being portfolios.
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Stacia holds an Honors BA in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, and a certificate in Conflict Management. In her spare time, Stacia is an avid long-distance runner, culinary explorer, adventure traveller, and mother.
Jason Maracle Young
She:kon, My name is Dr. Jason Maracle Young. I am turtle clan. I was born and raised in upstate NY, but my family ties are here in Kenhte:ke. I did my schooling in exercise physiology, strength and conditioning and eventually my doctorate in chiropractic. I met my beautiful wife Rebecca in chiropractic school and today we have two clinics where we practice together one in Kingston and the other here in Shannonville known as ForeverYoung.
We have loved having the opportunity to offer natural hands on healthcare to the members of our community.
As chiropractors our focus is motherhood, children and families. We believe in the importance of chiropractic care for improving physiology from the beginning of life, but this is only a portion, albeit a significant one, of the benefits offered by chiropractic care. We love caring for pregnant mothers, their newborn children and rest of their families.
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Rebecca and I have three wonderful munchkins. We loved having the assistance of a midwife and doula at all our births, two home births and one hospital birth. Midwives where an invaluable asset for all our pregnancies and births. We were elated when Dorothy offered us the opportunity to be part of the Kenkte:ke midwives. We cherish the time to help support Dorothy in her noble mission to care for aboriginal families here and afar.
Kaleena Hanoski
Kaleena Hanoski is a mixed-Mohawk neurodivergent educational leader from Kenhtè:ke. They are an enthusiastic educator with a broad employment and philanthropic story. They are passionate about lifelong learning and fostering holistic wellbeing and growth through positive and inclusive practices.
Kaleena is currently the Vice Principal at Quinte Mohawk School and serves on a number of boards and committees in Kenhtè:ke.
In their personal life they are a mother of two (both Kenhtè:ke Midwives babies - 1 hospital and 1 home birth) and support their partner in his psychotherapy practice.
In Loving Memory
Karen Green
Chairperson 2018-2025
June 9, 1957 - January 10-2025
We honour the memory of Karen Green, who played an integral role in the start up of Kenhtè:ke Midwives and served as the Chairperson from 2018 to 2025 at the time of her passing. Karen brought wisdom, warmth and dedication to our organization and her contributions continue to guide our work to this day. Please read below to learn more about some of Karen's contributions:
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Karen was a lawyer who spent her career advocating and promoting the rights of First Nations People, particularly those of First Nation’s women and children. She worked for most of her career with the Department of Justice and spent two years, on an executive exchange from the Department of Justice, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Native Women’s Association of Canada.
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When the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples was created after the Oka crisis, Karen played a key role as the writer and advisor on the women’s chapter of the report. After her retirement from the federal public service in 2014, Karen worked for the University of Ottawa, as a Senior Advisor to the President on Indigenous issues; and at Carleton University as the Director of Equity Services.
Then self-employed as a lawyer and policy consultant, she specialized in Indigenous issues, seeking to advance the rights of Indigenous people. Most recently, Karen was the President of the Makonsag Aboriginal Program and a member of the University of Ottawa Indigenous Education Council. She was a past Director of the Ottawa Community Foundation where she served as a member of the Grants Committee.
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Karen was a member of the Ontario Bar. She received her law degree from Queen’s University and her undergraduate degree in Economics and Sociology from Trent University.
