This funding will support Sacred Bundle Birthworker Collective, a newly formed, statewide entity that supports families to reclaim traditional birth and breastfeeding practices that were practiced by Indigenous people. Through this project, Sacred Bundle and Michigan Breastfeeding Network aim to reach youth and teens through education and mentorship to create a career pipeline and ensure Indigenous teachings are ingrained in their future work, establish a birthworker community fund to develop and provide culturally rooted services and resources, support men’s roles as they step into fatherhood, train the community on traditional birth and parenting practices, and ensure sustainability of reclamation efforts by removing economic and other barriers to continuing and expanding their reach.
Michigan Breastfeeding Network
2201-149679
2022