Dawnland Signals 5/19/22: Indigenous Birthworkers

Producers/Hosts: Maria Girouard, Esther Anne
Jeffrey Hotchkiss, Zoom recording technician

Dawnland Signals highlights indigenous topics not immediately represented in mainstream media and is meant to share, inspire, and inform. Join co-hosts Maria Girouard and Esther Anne as they engage in critical conversations of truth, healing, and change in the Dawnland.

Indigenous Birthworkers from the Northeast gathered recently for the first time since colonization to connect, learn, and share. On this episode of Dawnland Signals, we talk with two of the organizers of this ground breaking effort to reclaim birthwork here in Wabanakik ~ Dr. Jus Crea Giammarino and Taraè Ramos.

You can support this effort to reclaim indigenous birthwork by donating to the Eastern Woodlands Rematriation Collective here

Key Discussion Points:
1. What is indigenous birthwork and what does it include?
2. How did you become a birthworker?
3. What are the next steps for reclaiming indigenous birthwork?

Guests: Dr. Jus Crea Giammarino and Taraè Ramos

About the hosts:

Esther Anne, is a Passamaquoddy from Sipayik who lives on Indian Island and serves on the Wabanaki REACH Board of Directors.

Maria Girouard, Penobscot from Indian Island, is Executive Director of Wabanaki REACH, a statewide organization working toward truth, healing, and change in the Dawnland. Maria is a tribal historian with a Master’s Degree in History from the University of Maine and a special interest in the Maine Indian Land Claims. Maria has devoted years to community organizing, environmental stewardship and activism, and growing food in tribal communities.