August 8-14, 2024: Indigenous Milk Medicine Week

WHEREAS, Michigan honors the 12 federally recognized Tribes, and many more tribally recognized Tribes, native to this land and acknowledges the people, land, traditions, and customs stolen by colonial systems through government practices of forced separation and forced assimilation; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan acknowledges the grief of Indigenous peoples and joins in mourning the loss of the Indigenous children whose remains were and are being discovered on stolen land and denied their birthright of the perfect first food; and,

WHEREAS, Indigenous breastfeeding is a sovereign right for Indigenous peoples no matter where they reside; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan celebrates doodooshaaboo (milk) and breastfeeding with Indigenous peoples as a gift from the Creator directly given to birthing parents so they may nourish the next seven generations; Michigan acknowledges that doodooshaaboo (milk) and breastfeeding is also considered medicine, and is acknowledged by Indigenous peoples as the first medicine children receive to live healthy and strong lives; and,

WHEREAS, during this week we are dedicated to broadening public understanding of the critical impact breastfeeding has on improving the health of infants and birthing parents within the Indigenous community; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is committed to reducing infant mortality and increasing the health outcomes of birthing parents and babies during National Breastfeeding Month; Indigenous maternal mortality is 2 to 3 times the rate of white maternal mortality and Indigenous infant mortality is 2 times greater than white infant mortality; and,

WHEREAS, it is vital to improve health outcomes by providing equitable, culturally appropriate, and respectable care for Indigenous families in the prenatal period through postpartum, as well as in lactation support, as Indigenous birthing persons are 2.5 times less likely to receive prenatal care with 50% receiving zero before birth; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan is committed to creating a safe environment for Indigenous mothers and babies in clinical practices due to Indigenous mothers being coerced into sterilization and/or contraception immediately after birth which can be detrimental to breastfeeding; and,

WHEREAS, Indigenous breastfeeding is vital to counter the inequity and injustice experienced by Indigenous families and their ability to practice their traditions in accordance with their ancestral and Tribal communities; Michigan celebrates diversity and encourages the visibility of Indigenous Breastfeeding experiences; and,

WHEREAS, inherited trauma has had a significant effect on bonding and traditional parenting in Indigenous households; breastfeeding promotes bonding between infant and their birthing parent; and,

WHEREAS, Indigenous birth workers and breastfeeding supporters provide families with support and education to reclaim their right to breastfeed their children freely for however long they desire; and,

WHEREAS, Indigenous Breastfeeding is an act of defiance, resistance, and beauty we should support and protect at every level of society; reactivating Indigenous birthrights will undoubtedly build a strong foundation for Michigan and Tribal Nations to build healthier communities for the next seven generations;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, hereby proclaim August 8-14, 2024, as Indigenous Milk Medicine Week in Michigan.