Welcome to the Indigenous Women's Reproductive Rights and Pro-Choice Page.

The purpose of this page is to provide information concerning Indigenous women's reproductive health and their perspectives on pro-choice issues.

Throughout history, Indigenous women have interacted with other Indigenous women through various women's societies. Traditionally, the matters pertaining to women were the business of women. All decisions concerning her reproductive health were left up to a woman as an individual; her decision was respected, and was final. Oftentimes an Indigenous women would turn to other women within her society for advice, mentoring, and assistance concerning reproductive health.

With the imposition of colonization and Christianity, foreign values, belief systems, and practices were forced upon our communities. Within those foreign systems, decisions pertaining to reproductive health were made by the Church with little regard to individual rights. Traditionally, reproductive health issues were decisions made by the individual, and were not thrusted into the political arena for any kind of scrutinization. The core of decision-making for Indigenous women is between her and the Great Spirit.

Within traditional societies and languages, there is no word that equals abortion. The word itself is very harsh and impersonal. When speaking to traditional elders knowledgeable about reproductive health matters, repeatedly they would refer to a women knowing which herbs and methods to use "to make her period come." This was seen as a woman taking care of herself and doing what was necessary. Oftentimes women would turn to the women within her society that were the keepers of those herbs, medicines, and techniques for assistance.

Native Women's Reproductive Rights Agenda

"Empowerment Through Dialogue," a historical three-day meeting was held in Pierre, South Dakota, on May 16-18, 1990. More than 30 Native Women, representing over 11 Nations from the Northern Plains came together in a collective decision-making process to form a Reproductive Rights Coalition. Their efforts resulted in an Agenda for Native Women's Reproductive Rights.

Native Women for Reproductive Rights

The aboriginal people of the North Central Plains lived in not only a democracy, but also a matrilineal society when Pierre Radisson, the first white person, visited the villages in 1654. The Native women enjoyed a life unknown to white women in Europe, being free to own their own homes, participate in decisions about their government, and have control of their bodies.

In the ensuing years, the People were herded onto reservations and today live in hostage status, suffering every deprivation and loss of freedom. Our grandparents were forcibly taken from their families and sent long distances to schools where the teachings and wisdom of thousands of years of our civilization were brainwashed out of our grandparents' generation. The insidious erosion of identity, culture, spirituality, language, scientific and technical knowledge, and power created the chaos and violence in which we, as women, struggle to survive and live a decent life.

With knowledge and appreciation of our history, we fully realize our status in today's society, as we state our rights and aspirations as Native women.

 

  

  

  Reproductive Rights Platform ....page 2

 

 

The right to knowledge and education for all family members concerning sexuality and reproduction that is age, culture and gender appropiate.

 

The right to all reproductive alternatives and the right to choose the size of our families.

 

 The right to affordable health care, including safe deliveries within our communities.

 

The right to access safe, free or affordable abortions, regardles of age, with confidentially and free pre-and post- counseling.

 

The right to active involvement in the development and implementation of policies concerning reproductive issues imcluding , but not limited to, pharmaceuticals and testing.

  the right to include domestic violence, sexual assault and AIDS as reproductive rights issues.

  

 The right to programs which meet the nutritional needs of women and families

The right to programs to reduce the rate of infant mortality and high-risk pregnancies.

The right to culturally specific, comprehensive, chemical dependency prenatal programs including, but not limited to, prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome and effects

The right to a forum for cultural/spiritual development, culturally-oriented health care, and the right to live as Native Women.The right to be fully informed about and to consent to, any forms of medical treatment.

The right to stop coerced sterilization.

The right to determine who is are members of our Nations

 

The right to continuous, consistent, and quality health care for Native peoples.

The right to reproductive rights and support for women with disabilities, including emotional disabilities.

 

.The right to a forum for cultural/spiritual development, culturally-oriented health care, and the right to live as Native Women.

The right to be fully informed about, and to consent to, any forms of medical treatment.