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Allies
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.
If you are not Alaska Native or Indigenous but would like to support the Alaska Native Birthworkers Community, some alternative options are listed below.
About Our Work
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, maternal and infant mortality rates have declined for all Americans, community displacement of Indigenous Peoples has increased.
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​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 by the colonization of our land, waters, and bodies.
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.
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To learn more, read about us and check out our Resources page!
How to Support ANBC
as an ally
Advocate
If you are part of a community in Alaska and already engaged in birthwork, let’s visit and share about allyship and the advocacy you can contribute to as good neighbors and friends.
Learn More
If you want to learn more about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Alaska and the colonization of this place, consider taking an Alaska Native Studies course at your local university or sign up for one of Native Movement’s trainings.
Hire a Doula
If you are looking to hire a doula and are non-Native, but want to support a BIPOC-owned small business, consider contacting Indigenous doulas at Due North Support Services or Alaska Birth Collective.
Become a Doula
If you are seeking to become a doula who is sensitive to the needs of pregnant Indigenous and people of color, consider learning from a BIPOC-led commercial training.