On March 28, 2025, the DoubleTree Hotel in Rapid City, SD, became the venue for a historic event – the first Indigenous Doula Workshop held in South Dakota. Organized by the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board, the Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center, and Baby Smart, this innovative training aimed to fill a critical gap in postnatal support for American Indian communities.
Bridging the Gap in Birthcare
Faced with a shortage of birth care providers in the region, the workshop emerged as a pivotal response to the growing need for doulas. With a focus on maternal and child health, the event underscored the importance of supporting families from prenatal stages through infancy—a crucial period for ensuring healthy beginnings and addressing disparities faced by American Indians.
A Unique Blend of Knowledge
Approximately 40 dedicated individuals attended the workshop, where they were exposed to a robust curriculum interweaving modern, cutting-edge care techniques with time-honored Native American birthing practices. This balanced approach provided participants with a comprehensive toolkit designed to support mothers and newborns effectively. The training covered a wide array of topics relevant to Indigenous birthwork, ensuring that newly trained doulas could confidently bring their skills and knowledge back to their communities.
Insights from the Organizers
Cheyenne Iron Heart, one of the primary organizers, shared her enthusiasm about the event:
“This is the 1st indigenous doula workshop held in South Dakota. We have done a lot of planning in the background providing speakers from all over the country to cover all topics of indigenous birthwork, interweaving the knowledge to create a strong foundation for the newly trained participants to take back to their communities.
This workshop stressed the importance of taking care of mothers and babies from prenatal to infancy ensuring families have a healthy start to tackle disparities American Indians face.”
Her remarks highlight not only the extensive planning and expert contributions behind the event but also the broader mission to uplift community health through culturally informed practices.
Looking Ahead
The success of this inaugural workshop marks a significant step toward addressing the pressing needs in maternal and child health within indigenous communities. With newly trained doulas equipped with both modern and traditional skills, the hope is that this initiative will lead to improved birth experiences and healthier beginnings for countless families across the region.
As the conversation around birthcare continues to evolve, events like this workshop set a powerful precedent for integrating community values with progressive health practices. The impact of this training is already being felt, and there is a strong momentum for further initiatives to support indigenous health and well-being.
