Wak’ányeja. New Mother Care for the New Sacred Child.
Native American mothers play a vital role in their families and tribal communities, but many face challenges in accessing maternal care.
That’s why this year, Running Strong developed the Wak’ányeja program.
Motherhood is more than just a biological process; it is a sacred journey, and for native people, it is a spiritual responsibility. Native women, like the Lakota women, the ina (mothers), are the heart of the tiospaye (extended family), serving as the protectors, nurturers, and teachers who pass on the traditions, stories, and values of the Native Nations.
Like all mothers, Native American women face the challenges of pregnancy and caring for a newborn, especially in remote or underserved communities.
Maternal deaths nationwide more than doubled from 1999 to 2019, according to a new study in The Journal of the American Medical Association. The research also showed death rates are especially high for Black and American Indian/Alaska Native moms.
The factors for the increase in maternal deaths include:
Lack of hospitals in rural areas
Long drives to get quality medical care
Increase in mental health trauma
After birth, care supplies are often out of reach for low-income mothers. Post-partum care kits can improve the health care of both post-p mothers and their new babies.
At Running Strong for American Indian Youth, we deeply respect the role of native mothers. We are committed to providing them with the tools and support they need through our Maternal Care Kits, designed to assist them during pregnancy, childbirth, and early motherhood.
Each of our Maternal Care Kits includes vital products for maternal and newborn care, such as:
Overnight pads, witch hazel wipes, Lansinoh nipple cream, and nursing pads, all chosen to help new mothers recover after childbirth.
For their babies, the kits offer necessities like
A thermometer, nasal aspirator, baby shampoo, lotion, and diaper rash ointment to ensure their well-being in the critical early months. We also provide vitamin D3 gummies, prenatal vitamins, compression socks, receiving blankets, burp cloths, and fragrance-free baby wipes—items that address the mother’s health and the baby’s comfort.
This fall alone, we are providing 3,000 Maternal Care Kits for 3,000 Native Moms.
You can help us bridge that gap by donating to our Maternal Care Kit program. Together, we can provide these strong women with the tools they need to care for their newborns.