A Native American woman recently welcomed her sixth child at the Standing Rock resistance camp, where numerous activists have gathered to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline. Her incredible birthing experience highlights not only her personal strength but also the ongoing struggle for Native rights and environmental justice.
The Dakota Access Pipeline, a $3.7 billion project, poses a significant threat to Native lands and water sources. Protests at Standing Rock have been fueled by concerns that the pipeline will “destroy our burial sites, prayer sites, and culturally significant artifacts,” as expressed by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. The pipeline is intended to transport oil from the Bakken Formation in North Dakota down to Illinois, igniting months of demonstrations against its construction.
Amid this pivotal backdrop, a woman named Aiyana Littlebird gave birth to a daughter in her family’s tipi on October 12. She chose the name Wíiyukta, meaning “life-giving water,” a poignant tribute to the water issues her tribe is fighting against. Aiyana shared, “I brought her into this world on my own,” honoring a Lakota tradition of birthing alone. Although her husband and family were close by, she felt strongly about the sacredness of that moment being hers alone.
Aiyana had previously given birth to her other children—aged three, six, eight, eleven, and thirteen—at home with the assistance of a midwife. Mni’s arrival marked her first experience of giving birth independently. “Having babies is my act of resistance,” Aiyana explained, emphasizing the historical challenges Native women have faced regarding reproductive rights, including forced sterilizations. Throughout the protests, her priority has been her children’s education, allowing them to experience life at the camp and participate in important ceremonies.
Initially, Aiyana kept her pregnancy private, adhering to cultural beliefs that call for “guarding” new life. She sought advice from her sisters—one a midwife and the other a doula—while managing her own prenatal care. Despite suggestions from tribal EMTs to seek hospital care, Aiyana resolutely chose to give birth at the camp. “I will have my baby where I decide. It’s not up to anyone else,” she affirmed. While she kept a walkie-talkie nearby in case of emergencies, she preferred a calm birthing environment free from extra tension.
Aiyana feels strongly about the importance of home births, advocating for a return to traditional knowledge among Native women. “We must change the perspective that this knowledge can only be obtained through payment. This wisdom belongs to all women,” she stated. With the birth of her daughter, she hopes to inspire other Native women to reconnect with their bodies and their heritage. “I thought for sure I was having a boy, but her being a girl carries great significance.”
As per Lakota customs, Wíiyukta’s placenta was buried at the camp, symbolizing her connection to her roots. Aiyana expressed, “She will always know where she came from, supported by strong women who have come before her.” The spirit of those women was palpable to Aiyana as her daughter entered the world.
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In summary, Aiyana Littlebird’s powerful birth experience at Standing Rock serves as a testament to her resilience and the ongoing fight for Native rights. Her story highlights the importance of cultural traditions and the emotional connection to motherhood amidst the struggle for justice.