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Pregnancy & Infant Awareness Proclamation
MD of Spirit River Proclaims Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month and Day
The Municipal District of Spirit River No. 133 is recognizing the profound impact of pregnancy, infant and child loss by proclaiming October 2026 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and October 15, 2026, as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day within the MD.
The request was brought to Council by Kristin Pichoskie, founder of Oak’s Tree of Love, a Northern Ontario initiative created in memory of her son, Oak Beaudyn Noel. Oak’s Tree of Love supports bereaved families through memory boxes, remembrance projects, advocacy, awareness and community support.
Pregnancy and infant loss affects families in deeply personal ways. The loss of a baby or child can leave a lasting impact on parents, siblings, grandparents and the wider community. Yet many families experience their grief quietly and may not always receive the understanding or support they need.
The proclamation provides an opportunity to change that.
By recognizing Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day, the MD is helping raise awareness, reduce stigma and remind bereaved families that they are not alone. It also honours the memory of Oak Beaudyn Noel and all babies and children gone too soon, while recognizing the strength and resilience of the families who continue to carry their memories.
October 15 is a day to remember.
It is a day to acknowledge lives that were deeply loved, even when they were far too short. It is a day to offer compassion to grieving families and to recognize that their loss deserves to be seen, heard and remembered.
The MD encourages residents to take a moment on October 15 to remember the babies and children gone too soon and to show support for families who have experienced this kind of loss.
Sometimes, simply saying “I remember” can mean more than we know.
Through this proclamation, the Municipal District of Spirit River joins communities across Canada in helping create greater awareness, compassion and understanding for families affected by pregnancy and infant loss.