Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality

The Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality (NAWDIM) is a grassroots collective and Indigenous birth justice “movement-nurturer”. Our collective advocacy voice has always honored tribal sovereignty, and culturally rooted solutions for maternal and infant health.

Birth is sacred, and increasingly dangerous for American Indian, Alaska Native and Black communities. Maternal and infant deaths are directly connected to maternal health, and reproductive health justice.

In 2024, the infant mortality rate for infants of American Indian and Alaska Native women was 9.20 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024; for infants of Black women, the rate was 10.98; the Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander rate was 7.90; while the mortality rate for White infants was 4.41 and for infants of Hispanic women, the rate was 4.88 (January 2026, CDC National Vital Statistics System)

In our mission to keep our Native babies and mothers alive and safe, we hold a circle of community care – a protective, supportive, welcoming, and sacred place for Native mothers, birthing people, advocates, community members and providers to gather, learn collectively and support each other. 

From the beginning of our collective dialog we knew solutions about how to keep our Native babies and mother safe and alive would be found in our cultural teachings and values. To do this work we are conveners, culture keepers, advocates, and movement builders. 

We are deeply committed to "Grandmothers Fire: Indigenous Birth, Health & Justice" the legacy of our ancestors, and movements like Women of All Red Nations, Indigenous Women's Network, and many others. Their legacy is our work ahead.

Our hope is to inspire and invite others throughout Turtle Island to join us in growing the circle.