Cradleboards and Community: A Commitment to Future Generations of Native Babies and Mothers

The Native American Women’s Dialog on Infant Mortality (NAWDIM) nurtures the opportunity for Indigenous infants and mothers to thrive. In 2000, Public Health Seattle-King County (PHSKC) and allies from the African American and Latinx communities realized that infant mortality rates in the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) community were even higher than the rates for the Black community.  These key allies began to convene Native leaders who reached out to other Native mothers, aunties, grandmas, organizers, and direct service providers, who came together to learn and act. NAWDIM has since sought to improve Native infant survival in Seattle/King County through traditional cultural practices such as offering cradleboard making classes, advocacy for mothers and families, and strong networks across Indian Country - including growing relationships with Indigenous birth workers and advocates. Learn more about NAWDIM here.  

Read more information about King County Infant Mortality and Washington State Maternal Mortality.  

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