Alaska native birthworkers combat maternal mortality crisis

ANCHORAGE, AK – A quiet revolution is unfolding in Alaska, where a community-led initiative is directly confronting the state's alarming maternal mortality rates among Alaska Native women. The Alaska Native Birthworkers Community (ANBC), a collective of Indigenous doulas and traditional healers, is providing free, culturally-rooted support to pregnant and postpartum women, offering a lifeline in a region grappling with systemic healthcare disparities.

A history of trauma and disconnection

For Mary Sherbick, a Yupik woman who grew up in foster care, the support offered by ANBC was transformative. Her experience reflects a deeper historical trauma: the legacy of forced sterilization programs targeting Indigenous women and the broader erasure of traditional birth practices. “A lot of us were concerned about how we’d be treated in a hospital setting, aware of the history of mistreatment,” Sherbick explains. Growing up, Sherbick was distanced from her culture, a pain compounded by her mother’s reluctance to teach her the Yupik language due to safety concerns within Anchorage’s urban environment. Having a birth worker who understood her heritage became a vital source of strength and sovereignty.

Rooted in tradition, informed by modern needs

ANBC’s approach blends ancient wisdom with contemporary medical understanding. Workshops focus on prenatal plant medicine, utilizing ingredients like yellow dock root and red raspberry leaf – knowledge passed down through generations. This isn't just about herbal remedies; it's about reclaiming ancestral practices and fostering a sense of self-determination during a deeply vulnerable time. Abra Patkotak, an ANBC co-founder and Iñupiaq woman, highlights the historical importance of community-based birth support. “My great-grandfather helped deliver babies,” she recalls. “This was a role central to every community.” The shift towards Westernized healthcare, she notes, eroded this vital support system.

Confronting stark statistics

The need for ANBC’s services is stark. In 2024, Native American and Alaska Native women faced the highest pregnancy-related mortality ratio in the U.S. Preterm birth rates among Alaska Native mothers are also alarmingly high, and they experience disproportionately higher rates of anemia and gestational diabetes. Mariana Dosal, a member of the Agdaagux Tribe, nearly bled out during her first birth. ANBC’s support, she says, was critical in preventing a similar tragedy during her second pregnancy. “Patkotak being there to advocate for what I need allowed me to not lose as much blood,” Dosal recounts.

Beyond labor: a holistic approach to sovereignty

ANBC’s work extends far beyond labor and delivery. They offer prenatal care, postpartum support, and assistance during miscarriage, abortion, and adoption. Margaret David, another co-founder, emphasizes their “three sisters” model, focusing on direct service, training new birth workers, and advocating for systemic change. Many rural Alaskan mothers must travel hundreds of miles to Anchorage to give birth, creating significant financial and emotional burdens. Dosal, who lives in Dillingham, spent her last month of pregnancy in Anchorage, a logistical and spiritual hardship.

A resurgence of indigenous knowledge

The ANBC’s efforts represent a powerful resurgence of Indigenous knowledge and a commitment to addressing the maternal health crisis with culturally appropriate solutions. As Sherbick puts it, “It all comes from these Indigenous women who are willing to come together to help support each other in this very sacred time in your life.” The organization’s expansion plans—including training programs in remote regions—promise to further strengthen this vital network, ensuring that Alaska Native women receive the care and support they deserve, connecting them to their heritage and bolstering their self-determination.