Mom Welcomes New Baby at Standing Rock: ‘Birthing is My Form of Defiance’

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A Native American mother recently brought her sixth child into the world at the Standing Rock camp, a gathering site for activists opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline. This remarkable birth story showcases her resilience and the deep-rooted values held by her community.

The Dakota Access Pipeline, a controversial $3.7 billion project, poses a significant threat to Native lands and water sources. Protesters argue that it will “endanger our burial grounds, sacred sites, and culturally important artifacts,” as expressed by the Standing Rock Sioux tribe. With ongoing demonstrations in North Dakota, one determined mother prepared for her baby’s arrival while standing firm against this environmental injustice.

According to reports, Asha Sky, known as the Earth Guardian, welcomed her baby girl, whom she named Nibi Wakan, meaning “water is sacred,” on October 12th in the comfort of her family’s tipi at the camp. A fitting name, considering the cause her people are fighting for. Asha shared, “I delivered her myself,” highlighting the Lakota tradition of birthing alone. Though her husband and family were close by, she embraced the sacred space of laboring independently. “The area where we give birth is profoundly sacred. Our ancestors understood that.”

All of Asha’s other children—ranging from ages three to thirteen—were born at home with the assistance of a midwife. However, Nibi’s birth marked the first time she was completely alone during delivery. Asha’s husband, Jarek, woke shortly after their daughter arrived.

The mother of six expressed her views on childbirth as a powerful act of defiance: “Having babies is my act of resistance; our rights as Native women regarding reproduction have been stripped away in so many ways.” She reflected on the history of forced sterilizations and the impact of assimilation on her community. While she stayed focused on her children’s education and opted out of front-line protests, Asha wanted her kids to experience life at the camp and its cultural ceremonies.

She kept her pregnancy mostly private, adhering to cultural beliefs about protecting new life. Consulting with her sisters—a midwife and a doula—Asha took charge of her own prenatal care, even tracking her baby’s heartbeat. Despite encouragement from tribal EMTs to seek hospital care, she was resolute. “I will give birth where I choose. It’s not for anyone to dictate where I can have my baby.” Asha did keep a walkie-talkie nearby, just in case, but ultimately turned it off. “They respected my wishes in the end. I didn’t want a crowd of anxious people around me.”

Asha strongly believes in the power of home births, and many have suggested she consider midwifery. However, she disagrees with the idea of making it a paid profession. “We need to change our mindset that this knowledge must be purchased. It belongs to all women.” She noted the disconnection many Native women feel from their bodies due to the dominant patriarchal culture, stating, “We have a lot of healing to do before we can teach our children to be healthy.”

After her thoughts on the importance of understanding birth and ownership of one’s body, it was almost poetic that her child was a girl. “I was convinced I was having a boy, but her arrival is incredibly meaningful.” Following Lakota tradition, Nibi’s placenta was buried at the camp after birth. Asha remarked, “She will know her roots and that she came from incredibly strong women who support her wherever she goes. I could feel those strong spirits surrounding us at her birth.”

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In summary, Asha Sky’s birth at Standing Rock exemplifies the strength of Native women and their commitment to cultural traditions and reproductive rights. Her story not only highlights the resilience of her community but also serves as a beacon of hope and defiance against systemic oppression.