This week’s Native Narratives is focused on an especially timely topic. As we celebrate Ohio’s constitutional amendment codifying abortion rights, we must remember that reproductive healthcare is definitely not accessible for all—nor is the messaging culturally tailored.

Rachael Lorenzo (they/them), executive director of Indigenous Women Rising and member of the Laguna Pueblo & Mescalero Apache Tribe, is trying to change that.

What is Indigenous Women Rising and why did you start it?
I started it because I had an abortion and I felt like I didn’t have a culturally relevant way to talk about what I was feeling. I knew I couldn’t be the only Native person who has had this experience. I’m not a doctor or a provider, but IWR is a space for us to tell our own stories using our own words without shame. It’s also a space to share knowledge about what we do with our bodies.

What is Indian Health Services?
Indian Health Services is a federally funded entity under the Department of Health that is supposed to guarantee healthcare to Native people in exchange for land theft.

That doesn’t sound great. Can you talk a bit about reproductive healthcare access and limitations as they relate to Native people who rely on IHS?
IHS is a lifeline but it’s not enough. It’s underfunded by over $6B. Not every facility has a standard for what kind of reproductive health care is provided. Not every tribe has readily available access to these facilities closeby, so geography and transportation are also an issue.

Ok, so it’s definitely not enough. What services does IWR provide and what gaps are y’all trying to fill?
We provide funding for nearly all aspects of reproductive health as well as financial assistance with getting to appointments. We also provide political education on our rights to reproductive healthcare. Finally, we also distribute menstrual hygiene products.

How did Roe‘s overturning affect your work?
It made the volume of need increase, but no matter what the law says or doesn’t say, we continue with business as usual.

Is there anything coming up for you or IWR that we can look forward to?
New staff incoming! Stay tuned.

And lastly, how can we help with IWR’s mission, particularly if we’re non-Native?
Educate yourselves on land theft in your own backyard. Once you center us in your daily lives, everyone benefits. We are also welcoming donations!