Birthing Sovereignty
Vision
Birthing Sovereignty’s vision is that Turtle Island Indigenous’ peoples will reclaim the ceremony of birth so that our communities heal from the effects of colonization. By honoring ancestral knowledge, respecting Mother Earth, and living in alignment with natural law, Turtle Island Indigenous peoples will restore their health and wellbeing and establish a pathway to healing for parents and children.
Purpose
Birthing Sovereignty offers law and policy consulting with a lens of reproductive justice, birth justice, and economic justice regarding maternal health, the perinatal period and early childhood development. Birthing Sovereignty utilizes the principles of personal and political sovereignty for Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island as a pathway for personal autonomy and self-governance in order to heal from the effects of colonization.
Focus Areas
Education:
Birthing Sovereignty offers training on topics related to policy making, Federal Indian law, working with tribal governments, tribal healthcare, and economic development.
Community Design:
Birthing Sovereignty offers consultation services focused on assisting organizations build meaningful collaborations with tribal governments, community networks, and federal programs.
Sustainability:
Birthing Sovereignty offers consultation services on economic development and organizational growth.
Current Projects
Mapping Sovereign Birth - in collaboration with Indigenous birthing people, birth workers, and midwives, Birthing Sovereignty is gathering asset data regarding Indigenous birthing ways and knowledge to be used for Indigenous community efforts to continue to reclaim Indigenous birth, parenting and healing knowledge
Birth Justice Landscape Analysis - in collaboration with Elephant Circle
Potential Projects
Assist Indigenous birthing people, birth workers and midwives in legal and policy matters
Address the issue of regulation of traditional birth workers, doulas, and midwives on tribal lands
Advocate for law and policy changes related to Indigenous birthing people
Assist in developing early childhood success measures that integrate maternal and infant health and wellness
Develop Indigenous-designed templates and guidance for law and policy changes related to Indigenous birthing people, infants, and early childhood