Our work is centered on self-identified Alaska Native and Indigenous families and birthworkers in Alaska, and supports the development of sovereignty for our communities. We envision a world in which all Alaska Native people can make confident choices around reproductive health, birth, and parenthood and are healed from any harm created in the colonization of our land, waters, and bodies. 

 

Alaska has been home to Indigenous Peoples for over 10,000 years. We have grown thriving communities, diverse cultures, and survived the colonization of our lands, waters, and bodies. Through colonization, Alaska’s social landscape has shifted and our birthing practices have been disrupted. While over this period of time, maternal and infant mortality rates have declined for all Americans, community displacement of Indigenous Peoples has increased. 

 

Most rural Alaska Native pregnant people are displaced from their homelands and separated from their families and support systems, often alone, when giving birth. Most of the obstetric care providers working in the tribal health system in Alaska are non-Native and therefore are unable to provide culturally-matched care. There are no midwifery education programs or formal Indigenous birthwork programs with culturally relevant and ceremonial training in Alaska. Our work seeks to change this. This work with and for Indigenous Communities must be led by Indigenous Peoples.