Wisconsin Tribes Commemorate Native Breastfeeding Week

Tribes across the country will be celebrating Native Breastfeeding Week August 9-15, 2020. The Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin is using the week to bring awareness to the value of breastfeeding for tribal communities. In its second year, Native Breastfeeding Week serves to hold space for Native lactation providers and supporters and lift up the visibility of Indigenous breastfeeding experiences.

Using the slogan "Strong. Resilient. Latched.," the coalition is celebrating the importance of strong tribal customs and community support, being resilient despite challenges today and in the past, and the value of breastfeeding as a tradition and pathway to improving health in future generations. Breastfeeding has long been known to have extensive health benefits for mom and baby. Many of the health benefits reduce the risk of chronic diseases that are known to impact the American Indian populations at greater rates than other populations.

During the week, the Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin will be sharing breastfeeding stories and celebrating through virtual events. On Wednesday, August 12th, 2020, the coalition will host a latch-on event and invite anyone impacted by breastfeeding to share a picture or story on one of the coalition’s social media platforms. The Coalition will be highlighting the work of Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselors across the state. The Indigenous Breastfeeding Counselors have completed a clinical program that has trained them to provide breastfeeding education and support to families in their communities. Each day, a virtual support circle will be held featuring multiple topics. The support circles will provide a space for discussion, sharing experiences and connecting with other tribal communities across the nations.

All events and information for Native Breastfeeding Week will be available on Facebook at Native Breastfeeding Coalition of Wisconsin and Twitter @NBCofWisconsin.

For more information about Native Breastfeeding Week or breastfeeding education and support in tribal communities, please contact: Cheri Nemec, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc. 715-588-1020 or visit the website https://www.glitc.org/programs/family-health-services/native-breastfeeding-coalition-of-wi/overview/. For information about breastfeeding education and support in the LCO Community, you can also contact Barb Baker-LaRush with the LCO Health Center Maternal Child Health Giganaan Program at (715) 638-5104 or Carla Miller with the LCO Mino Maajisewin Home Visitation Program at (715) 558-7739.