Health

Ninde Doulas are trained professionals who provide informational, emotional, physical, and cultural support to Indigenous families while they are pregnant, during labor and birth, and for the post-partum healing period, much like how Indigenous aunties traditionally helped bring new life into this world.

Ninde was created several years ago when community members were seeing the rise in the opioid epidemic and how it was affecting families in our community. The epidemic was not yet apparent to those in higher leadership roles. The Ninde Collaborative started as a small group of women who wanted to see a change in their community.

In 2016, we were able to train and work closely with five doulas. At the end of 2021, we had a total of 22 certified doulas working with American Indian and Latinx families all over the Twin Cities and now in Bemidji.

Funded by: Minnesota Department of Health, Minneapolis Health Department, and United Healthcare

*The beautiful logo above was created by Mil + Co

Women of Traditional Birthing (WTB) helps expectant mothers adopt healthy lifestyles that foster healthy babies by providing support for pregnant American Indian women through mentoring, education, and community outreach.

WTB also helps women through mentoring, community outreach and other resources. Weekly group meetings consist of a healthy meal, childcare, transportation assistance and cultural activities. Group meets every Wednesday, 12pm-2pm.

The State of Minnesota, Positive Alternatives and The City of Minneapolis Department of Health provides multi-year grants to support the Women of Traditional Birthing Program.

*The beautiful logo above was created by Mil + Co

Live It! is a teen pregnancy prevention and sexuality education curriculum. Designed for American Indians by American Indians, it is a culturally specific program for youth and the adults in their lives.

The Live It! curriculum is designed for youth, ages 11-18. The curriculum details the basic physiological and emotional development we each go through before, during and after adolescence, along with cultural, artistic, and self-reflective exercises.

Funded by: Minnesota Department of Health and Ripley Memorial Fund

As a partner of Dream of Wild Health (DWH), DIW hired a Nutrition Coordinator to manage a Traditional Foods Program. The Nutrition Coordinator prepares traditional and other healthy foods for DIW's program participants. They also prepare meals for DIW's quarterly family nights, building blessing feasts, and other events that may arise.

For another helpful resource, check out: https://www.wiisinigllc.com/