Indigenous Birth Equity

Grantee: Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality (NAWDIM)
Timeframe: July 2024 – June 2026 | Amount: $125,000

• Year 1: July 2024 – June 2025. Amount: $50,000
• Year 2: July 2025 – June 2026. Amount: $75,000

NAWDIM’s Indigenous Birth Equity initiative addresses significant disparities in AI/AN infant and maternal health in the area. Data from 2017-2021 shows AI/AN infant mortality rates at 19.2 per 1,000 live births, compared to 4.0 countywide and 3.2 for White babies. The preterm birth rate for AI/AN babies stands at 15.6%, higher than the county average of 9.3% and 8.2% for White babies.

Maternal health data is similarly troubling: 11.8% of AI/AN mothers receive late or no prenatal care, compared to 4.8% countywide and 3.5% for White mothers. The smoking rate among AI/AN mothers is 11.9%, while the countywide rate is 1.7% and 2.0% for White mothers. PRAMS data indicates that AI/AN mothers experience chronic stressors at five times the rate of White mothers.

NAWDIM is dedicated to addressing these disparities through critical interventions and support, which are often compounded by limited grant access, underrepresentation in public health data, and structural racism.

The Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality (NAWDIM) is advancing Indigenous Birth Equity Collective Priorities in 2025 by expanding advocacy efforts and strengthening networks among Black, Latina, and Pacific Islander leaders in King County. NAWDIM works alongside Indigenous-led organizations like the NW Portland Indian Health Board, American Indian Health Commission, Seattle Indian Health Board, and Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services. Indigenous birth workers play a critical role, offering direct support to families and advocating for public health and human rights protections.

Year 2 will focus on solidifying advocacy infrastructure, expanding policy influence, and strengthening cross-community partnerships to drive meaningful, long-term change in birth equity. NAWDIM will deepen its engagement with Indigenous, Black, Pacific Islander, and Latina communities to further advance birth equity advocacy. Key priorities will include:

• Strengthening Tribal Partnerships – Expanding collaboration with tribal leaders through continued involvement in Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) conventions, potentially bringing formal policy resolutions to the membership.
• Policy Advocacy – Tracking and responding to legislation impacting Indigenous maternal health, including ongoing dialogue on the Black & Maternal Health Momnibus alongside national partners.
• Expanding Collective Engagement – Increasing participation from Pacific Islander, Latina, and immigrant communities in King County to broaden shared knowledge and unify efforts.
• Capacity Building – Supporting Indigenous birth workers with continued training, including exploring new certifications such as those in grief care and maternal health counseling.
• Community-Based Research & Education – Conducting listening sessions to identify emerging needs and further develop culturally grounded best practices in maternal and infant health.

ABOUT OUR GRANTEE

Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality (NAWDIM)

“NAWDIM is a collective of Native care providers, community members, grandmas and our allies who provide advocacy, education and support for American Indian and Alaska Native infants, moms and families in Washington State.

Since 2001, NAWDIM has convened monthly. Our goal has been to educate ourselves and each other about the realities faced by our Native-child bearers, the data that reflects their journey to parenthood, and to be strategic in how we collaborate to improve practices, policies, and conditions for better birth outcomes.”

NAWDIM is fiscally sponsored by Alliance for a Just Society