Berry Medicine

06/05/2026

‼️ We’re excited to welcome Shawnalea Chief Goes Out, who joined us in May as Operations Director at Berry Medicine Native Birthwork Initiatives. ‼️

Shawnalea is an enrolled member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe and comes from the Aaniiih, Nakoda, and Western Shoshone peoples. She was raised in Kirby, Montana and is a public health professional with experience in maternal health, program management, and community‑based systems improvement.

Before joining Berry Medicine Native Birthwork Initiatives, she served as the Perinatal Health Program Officer for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, where she managed maternal health related Medicaid programs and the statewide perinatal psychiatric access line (MTPAL for Moms).

We’re excited to have her on our team as we continue advancing Indigenous maternal health. 🫐

06/04/2026

🚨NEWSLETTER ALERT🚨

Our newsletters give important updates, reminders, upcoming events, helpful resources, and everything happening around the state this month! 📰

✏ If you're not subscribed already, sign up here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/MBt3ZX13tU

05/28/2026

Room Blocks close tomorrow! Make sure you register for Doula Day and the PMH Conference!

It’s been a big year for doulas in Montana!

This week marks one year since the Governor signed SB 319 into law. Since then, doulas, advocates, policymakers, and partners across the state have continued working to strengthen and advance doula care for Montana families.

You can read more about the movement to advance doula work across Montana today on the HMHB blog.

🔗 hmhb-mt.org/blog

We also want to invite doulas and birth workers to join us for Doula Day on June 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Billings, Montana. This day of collaboration and learning will bring together doulas from across the state for:
• Updates from policymakers and advocates
• Training to help grow and strengthen your doula business
• Support and guidance around doula licensure

Register for Doula Day:
🔗 https://wkf.ms/4eEWGHL

05/22/2026

Register today! HMHB is offering support to pay for licensing fees if you attend! If you are an Indigenous Doula Berry Medicine can help make sure you have everything ready to go! The first step is registering so we know what you need. Don't wait!

It’s been a big year for doulas in Montana!

This week marks one year since the Governor signed SB 319 into law. Since then, doulas, advocates, policymakers, and partners across the state have continued working to strengthen and advance doula care for Montana families.

You can read more about the movement to advance doula work across Montana today on the HMHB blog.

🔗 hmhb-mt.org/blog

We also want to invite doulas and birth workers to join us for Doula Day on June 22 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Billings, Montana. This day of collaboration and learning will bring together doulas from across the state for:
• Updates from policymakers and advocates
• Training to help grow and strengthen your doula business
• Support and guidance around doula licensure

Register for Doula Day:
🔗 https://wkf.ms/4eEWGHL

05/21/2026

Just as berries nourish our bodies and spirits, Native nonprofits nurture our communities. Berry Medicine reminds us to honor abundance, share with others, and care for the systems that sustain us.

https://www.berrymedicine.org/donate

05/15/2026

Amy was grateful for the opportunity to listen, learn, and join conversations at the launch of The Status of Montana Women: Advancing Policy for Economic Equity, hosted by the Women’s Foundation of Montana in partnership with the Montana Budget and Policy Center. This event was a powerful reminder that when organizations come together with a shared commitment, real and lasting impact is created for communities across the state. 💜

We are deeply grateful to the Women’s Foundation of Montana. Their leadership and support played a meaningful role in helping make our launch possible.

05/14/2026

The monthly Indigenous BirthWorker Network Call for Indigenous doulas, birth workers, and advocates across Montana is scheduled for next Thursday!

🗓 Date: Thursday, May 21st, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00-7:30 PM
🔗 Meeting ID: 944 3384 8978

We will spend time community sharing, providing updates, and assistance with the Doula Licensure Application as we strengthen Indigenous BirthWork across Montana. Hope to see you there!

05/13/2026

Last month, the Berry Medicine team recently attended the Montana Maternal Health Alliance (MMHA) Annual Strategic Planning Meeting in Helena. We are grateful for the opportunity to network and collaborate with partners across the state on maternal health initiatives.

In early May, Berry Medicine attended the Breastfeeding Learning Collaborative Conference at Fairmont Hot Springs.

We’re proud to recognize our Program Manager, Diona Buck, for representing our team at the Breastfeeding Learning Collaborative Conference and sharing on the Family Care Space Initiative with fellow maternal child health professionals and advocates. Thank you for your dedication, leadership, and commitment to supporting this work. Your presentation made a meaningful impact, and we appreciate the passion and knowledge you bring every day. 🫐

05/08/2026

Sneak peek of our very FIRST Berry Medicine Newsletter! 📰✨

Our newsletter will keep you connected to important updates, announcements, and program news.

✏ Sign up here:
https://forms.gle/jtsYY2kREXvZ3aiq6