Cedar Sisters...
What's in a name?
Western Red Cedars are one of British Columbia's greatest beauties. They are strong, yet soft. They have an incredible calming effect. If that sounds like crazy hippie talk, I challenge you to go sit near one for just 5 minutes and see how you feel afterward! A Cedar Sisters doula brings a similar calming energy to every fertility session, every birthing experience, every Reiki and reflexology session, and every postpartum visit.
We need sisters today more than ever. In a world where many of us are distant from family and feeling isolated from our support networks, we need someone who will truly see us, encourage us, and relate to us as an imperfect human who deserves to be loved and respected. Sisterhood is not just biological, not limited to any particular gender, and not even limited to only humans. We can relate to plants, trees, and animals as sisters, too!
Cedar Sisters was born out of a combination of my love of trees and my purpose in this world to join people through their reproductive journeys. Cedar Sisters will show up for you with the heart and care of a sister, bringing along the calming and restorative energy of trees.
Hi! I'm Katrina Fortin. My ancestry is mixed European, with my most recent ancestors having migrated to BC from Holland. I've been a fully trained doula since 2016. I support people along the full spectrum of their reproductive years.
My approach to doula support is one of listening, encouragement, sharing information, being a comforting presence, and holding space for whatever comes up for you as you walk this part of your life's path.
Outside of work, my time is filled with caring for my two kids, who are already 8 and 9.5 years old. We're often out discovering new favourite places to wander and explore. (Our husky, Selkie, is a big fan of some of the trails around Cultus Lake!)
Nature is what brings me home to myself, and I am so grateful to live in such a beautiful place. I am also aware that this land was long tended by Indigenous peoples of the Stó:lō nations, and that colonization has been ruinous for both the land and its people. I am doing my best to decolonize myself and my doula practice, and I know that this work is never done.
Still have questions? Here's a little Q&A to ease your way.
Where do you work?
I recently moved from Surrey to Chilliwack, BC. I am available as a birth and postpartum doula to families living in Chilliwack and surrounding areas. Some of my services can be done virtually, such as energy healing for fertility, loss, fear release, birth trauma healing, and more. Distance healing is powerful and effective, go to my Reiki page to learn more.
What trainings and experience do you have?
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Wise Woman Way of Birth Doula Certified, 2018.
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Certified Holistic Doula through The Matrona 2020.
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Certified Holistic Reproductive Practitioner through By the Moon 2021.
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Certified Childbirth Educator through bebo mia 2020.
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Usui Holy Fire III Reiki Master, 2021.
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Certified Reflexologist through By the Moon 2021.
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Spinning Babies trained. (Visit their website for some excellent activities for comfort in pregnancy and preparing for birth!)
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Holding Space training by The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death, 2020.
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First Aid Training for Health Care Providers, 2021, by Safe Beginnings.
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Supporting Neonatal Resuscitation training, 2020, by Safe Beginnings.
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Trauma Informed Care training, 2020.
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Cultural Safety and Awareness Training, 2020.
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Mentorship with FRAFCA Birthkeepers group, 2022-ongoing
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Current member of the Doula Services Association.
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Approved to support families through the DAFGP (Doulas for Aboriginal Families Grant Program).
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80+ births attended as a doula.
(See more doula related Q&A on the Pregnancy and Birth page)
Is there anything else you'd like to know? Send a message!
"Words can not describe or sum up the absolutely incredible experience we had with Katrina at Cedar Sisters. Katrina is a beautiful & grounded soul, and was the most supportive doula. She has an innate ability to give exactly what you need, before you even knew you needed it. I received both Reiki and reflexology from her as well and it was such a healing and relaxing experience. Can't recommend her enough and would have her be present with us for baby #2 in a heartbeat."
-Sydney Love, Surrey BC
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"Katrina is the best doula. She's so calming, and helped keep me focused throughout the entire labor. She is loving and caring by nature, which is so encouraging and truly helped me find strength when it waned. My husband is especially grateful for her calming presence during the delivery, as the whole process can be hard for our partners, too. I'm so happy with my decision to have Katrina present at the birth of my beautiful baby girl. I can't imagine doing it without her and will absolutely ask her to be there for the birth of my next child, too!"-Tanya Woodside, Surrey BC
