Navajo Birthworker Collective

08/28/2026

⚠️ Diné shik’éí, ‘aoo’, there continues to be ongoing local sites/visits of our animal neighbors, please keep in mind the following from NN Fish & Wildlife, including the additional websites that have agency contact info, as well:
••••
🐠 Navajo Fish & Wildlife, (928) 871-6450
🌱 Div of Natural Resources, (928) 871-7298
⭐️ Navajo Police Department, (928) 357-6677
••••
Websites:
🐟 nndfw.org
🌲 dnr.navajo-nsn.gov
✨ npd.navajo-nsn.gov
••••
We will continue to work with our chapters to ensure ongoing resources are strongly considered, such as more bins to help families clean up their sites, spray/horns as applicable, and other suggestions that help maintain safety for all, ‘aoo’.

08/22/2026

The month of August is proclaimed as Navajo Nation Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Indigenous Milk Medicine Week and National Breastfeeding Awareness Month is also celebrated in August.
Great teamwork between NBWC, The Office of the First Lady, OPVP, The Navajo Division of Children and Family Services, The Navajo Special Diabetes Program, and the volunteers who took their time out of their day to support the event.
There are so many cultural stories that tie the land to human milk, perinatal health, and reproductive health. Milk Medicine is mentioned in our Diné Creation story.
This years theme for Indigenous Milk Medicine Week was "We keep the Fires Lit: Rising Through Milk Medicine". Fire in the Navajo way is descriptive of the Matriarch of the family. Just like she is the center of the home, the fireplace in a hogan is central in the home. The fire protects, provides light to guide and provide warmth the way our grandmas do (did). When oral history is being shared at ceremonies and community gatherings Navajo matriarchs are described as the fire of the home. It is very fitting that Indigenous Milk Medicine's theme this year begins with keeping the fires lit.
Mother Earth provided a way to nurture our ancestors to help them survive. She continues to provide for us to this day. We here at NBWC encourage everyone to visit local events in your communities that are uplifting Indigenous Milk Medicine in the month of August to learn more about services and support for families.
Attached are the Proclamation and the Indigenous Milk Medicine 5k and fun walk t-shirts. Mental, Spiritual, and Physical Wellness is encompassed in the meaning of the phrase Sa'ah Naagháí Bik'eh Hózhóón. This is why we chose this to be in the back of our event t-shirts.

08/22/2026

This is a great show of support by the Navajo Division of Children and Family Services for Navajo Nation Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

08/21/2026

We had a great turnout with over 100 runners and walkers. Then to end the evening, President Nygren and the First Lady signed a proclamation designating August as Navajo Nation Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Great teamwork by the Office of the First Lady, OPVP, Division of Children and Family Services, Navajo Special Diabetes Program and the volunteers. Special thank you to the community members who made this event a success.

08/19/2026

This is happening today. I also want to preface that NBWC is the primary sponsor for this event. Complaints need to be directed to us and not at the tribal programs who are cohosting along side us. This is a family friendly event. Hope to see you there.

🔥 NEW DATE - INDIGENOUS MILK MEDICINE 5K RUN & COMMUNITY WALK! 🔥

We are excited to announce the rescheduled date for our Indigenous Milk Medicine 5K Run & Community Walk!

Event Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Location: Window Rock Cinema Parking Lot | Window Rock, AZ

Theme: Keeping the Fires Lit: Rising Through Milk Medicine

Join us for an evening of movement, community, and celebration of Navajo Breastfeeding Month and the closing of Indigenous Milk Medicine Week!

✨Event Schedule:
• Event Setup: 4:00 PM MDT
• On-Site Participant Registration: 5:30 PM MDT
• Health Fair Begins: 5:30 PM MDT
• 5K Run & Walk: 6:00 PM MDT
• Family Walk: Approximately 1-mile accessible route

We will also have a Special Proclamation Presentation by Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren and First Lady Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren as they reaffirm their commitment to supporting breastfeeding families and celebrating Navajo Breastfeeding Month.

Resource booths are welcome! Scan the QR code on the revised flyer to register for a booth.

Please dress appropriately for the weather and come prepared for changing outdoor conditions.

This is a family-friendly, drug- and alcohol-free event. Political campaigning will not be permitted.

Ahé’hee’ nitsaago to our volunteers, partners, and community members for your flexibility and continued support following the postponement. We look forward to seeing everyone on Wednesday, August 19!
Email: [email protected] for more information.

Please share the revised flyer and help us spread the word!

08/19/2026

Sharing info from Inter Tribal Council of Arizona on their hybrid event, Holding our Stories, Reclaiming our Power: A Heart-Centered Approach to Preconception Planning and Sexual Health Awareness, happening on Thursday, August 27, from 9 am - 4 pm either at 2214 N Central Ave or virtually via Zoom.

There is no cost, but there are 30 in-person spots and 60 online spots available.

To register, click here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019faed772397f14af613dc4dc9b9fde

08/19/2026

FREE event for expecting mothers or those who are breastfeeding! Join NATIVE HEALTH's WIC program for Brewing Bonds: Rising through Milk Medicine — a tea party themed event, in honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

This event is this Friday, August 21, from 5 pm - 7 pm at NATIVE HEALTH Central, 4041 N. Central Ave, Building C, in Phoenix.

There will be tea sandwiches, games, raffles and more!

Register online: www.nativehealthphoenix.org/event/chw-wic-brewing-bonds/

08/17/2026

COMMENT TO PROTECT MATO TIPILA (BEAR LODGE)

Mining Project: Bear Lodge Rare Earth Project
🗓️Deadline: August 28th, 11:59 pm MST
✍🏽Submit a Comment: https://ndnco.cc/protectbearlodge

Relatives, the time has come again, and we need your support to protect sacred Mato Tipila. Rare Element Resources Inc. wants to build a 100+ acre open pit mine in the forest near Mato Tipila in Bull Hill, WY.

Facts About the Project:
💡This is a Fast 41 project, meaning that this permitting process could be expedited up to 18 months sooner.
💡It directly impacts local air quality, cultural & sacred sites, wildlife species and habitats, and local water resources.
💡It has the potential to expose people to radioactive or hazardous elements.
💡It will desecrate the land on this sacred site.

Oppose the project and submit your public comment today!

📸 credit: Angel White Eyes

08/17/2026

“Navajo Healing Navajo” Day ❤️🪶🫂

Join us at the 78th Annual Navajo Nation Fair for a day of healing, culture, and community wellness.

In partnership with the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Division of Behavioral & Mental Health Services (DBMHS) presents “Navajo Healing Navajo” Day Gourd Dance & Health Fair at Navajo Square – Tent A, Navajo Nation Fairgrounds in Window Rock, AZ on Friday, September 11, 2026.

This in-person, outdoor event will feature onsite registration, education presentations, and local health resources. All gourd dancers, societies, and royalty are welcome.

For more information, please contact (928) 871-6240. We look forward to celebrating with you. Ahéhee’ – Thank you.

08/16/2026

This is a good offering for families and Providers in San Francisco and the Bay Area.

🌿 Indigenous Maternal Health Roundtables — You’re Invited!

At Indigenous Justice, we recognize that Indigenous health is a human right.

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) affirms the rights of Indigenous women and children and recognizes Indigenous peoples’ right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for health programs that affect our communities.

For us, that means Indigenous people must be at the center of decisions about our own health and well-being.

Join us for two upcoming Indigenous Community Partnership Meetings as part of a culturally grounded engagement process to inform Strong Starts and advance maternal, infant, and family well-being through community-led solutions.

August 27 | Providers Meeting
12–1:30 PM
RSVP: https://bit.ly/4hwwLU0
For providers and community partners working in Indigenous maternal health. This gathering is an opportunity to share your expertise, experiences, and insights about what Indigenous families need to thrive.

September 3 | Mother’s Circle
5–7 PM
RSVP: https://bit.ly/4hwEP78
For Indigenous mothers to share their experiences, wisdom, and perspectives on pregnancy, birth, postpartum care, and family well-being in a supportive community space.

Strong Starts is a multi-agency initiative grounded in the belief that communities are the experts in their own experiences. Lasting improvements in maternal and infant health require more than services—they require listening, trust, cultural wisdom, and shared leadership.

📅 Register for the meeting that’s right for you and help shape the future of Indigenous maternal, infant, and family health. SF or Bay Area community participation highly encouraged.