Breastfeeding and chestfeeding grows love. It helps babies grow. It helps communities grow. It helps people blossom when it’s well-supported.
– Heather Heinrichs, Michif Lactation Consultant and Midwife
For First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, Milk Medicine is a sacred tradition that goes beyond lactation.
When we breastfeed or chestfeed, we engage in an act of love and care that nourishes not only our bodies but our spirits and community bonds. We assert our sovereignty over our food systems and cultural traditions.
Milk is Medicine for our infants, for ourselves, our families and communities.
Human milk:
- is antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory
- provides essential nutrients—proteins, fats, vitamins, and antibodies—that support a baby’s growth and immune system
- helps protect against infections and reduces the need for hospitalization
- reduces the risk of SIDS
- protects against type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- reduces the chance of developing leukemia in childhood
- adapts to a baby’s evolving needs
For nursing parents, breastfeeding or chestfeeding lowers the risk of:
- certain ovarian and breast cancers
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
Milk medicine challenges a narrow, biomedical model of health, integrating emotional, spiritual, cultural and environmental dimensions of well-being.
It strengthens emotional bonds between parent and child, while engaging networks of love and support that involve the whole family and community.
By fostering deep connection, the practice of breastfeeding and chestfeeding has the capacity to help heal intergenerational trauma.
WHO ARE INDIGENOUS LACTATION CONSULTANTS?
Indigenous Lactation Consultants may have various training and background. Some have institutional education while others may have learned through apprenticeship or other training pathways.
Indigenous Lactation Consultants may have formal designations from institutions or organizations or they may be recognized by their community as experts in the field.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are the highest accredited healthcare professionals specializing in lactation and breastfeeding support. IBCLCs offer evidence-based guidance, practical assistance, and education to help nursing parents overcome breastfeeding challenges, promote infant nutrition and family health.
It is important for anyone providing care to pregnant people and newborns to have education in safe infant feeding that promotes and protects breast/chestfeeding.
Some examples of organizations offering courses that achieve this include:
- Douglas College
- BCIT
- Mohawk College
- Step 2 Education
- GOLD Lactation Academy
- International BreastFeeding Centre.
Like Indigenous Midwives, Indigenous IBCLCs have unique cultural competencies alongside clinical expertise. First Nations, Métis and Inuit lactation consultants understand and facilitate the inclusion of traditional medicines, ceremonies, family structures and cultural traditions. They play a vital role in guiding lifegivers, preserving sacred practices and promoting community health.
INDIGENOUS MILK MEDICINE WEEK
Indigenous Milk Medicine Week (IMMW) happens every year during the second week of August, led by the Indigenous Milk Medicine Collective (IMMC)
To participate in NCIM’s yearly IMMW celebrations, follow us:
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“First Nations, Inuit, and Métis ceremonies and healing are not alternative medicines. It’s Western medicine that’s catching up to our knowledge.”
Stephanie George, Haudenosaunee Lactation Consultant and Midwife
2025 MILK MEDICINE CAMPAIGN
Follow us on social media to find expert insights, practical advice for Indigenous parents, and moving personal narratives that showcase the transformative power of Milk Medicine.
This campaign began with in-depth interviews with Haudenosaunee and Michif lactation consultants, Stephanie George and Heather Heinrichs, alongside nursing parents from the Six Nations Birthing Centre.
Their candid stories reveal how traditional feeding practices are about more than nutrition—they preserve our cultures, protect our sovereignty, heal relationships, and fortify community bonds.
Scroll down to meet our featured IBCLCs and nursing parents, follow us and check out some of our campaign highlights.
Follow along with the full campaign on TikTok and Instagram (new TikToks and Reels released each week):
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CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS: THE POWER OF MILK MEDICINE
MEET THE LACTATION CONSULTANTS
Stephanie George is Onyota’á:ka/A:no:wál (Oneida/Turtle Clan). She is a mom, wife, auntie, relative, postpartum depression support person, Indigenous Midwife and IBCLC (formerly at the Six Nations Birthing Centre).
Steph is the past President of the International Lactation Consultant Association. She is an Instructor at McMaster University and is pursuing an MSc in Health Science Education.
Heather Heinrichs (she/they) is a Michif (Red River Métis) Registered Midwife and IBCLC with roots in Red River (Winnipeg) and now living and working in the Northwest Territories.
Heather’s first experience supporting breastfeeding was when she was 3 years old and her brother was born. Heather is the President of the Midwives Association of the Northwest Territories, Canadian Association of Midwives Board Member, and a member of the Core Leadership Circle of NCIM.
MEET THE NURSING PARENTS
Jess is Anishinaabekwe (Bear Clan) from Deshkaan Ziibing. She lives on Six Nations of the Grand River territory with her partner Taylor (Mohawk/Turtle Clan) and their son Jalen.
Jess gave birth at home with the support of Indigenous Midwives from the Six Nations Birthing Centre. She has been breastfeeding Jalen with lactation support from Steph.
“I wouldn’t have been able to navigate this journey without a lactation consultant, especially an Indigenous lactation consultant. She constantly reminded me that babies come out with that knowledge from Creator, that they know how to feed.”
Kyleigh is Mohawk (Turtle Clan) from Six Nations of the Grand River. Born with cerebral palsy, Kyleigh fought to be able to give birth on her homelands and to breastfeed. She succeeded with the support of the Indigenous Midwives at the Six Nations Birthing Centre and her Indigenous Lactation Consultant, Steph.
“I think asking the question if your milk is medicine is similar to asking if love is medicine.’”
Bekki is Oneida (Turtle Clan) from Six Nations of the Grand River. She has breastfed all of her children and appreciates Indigenous Lactation Consultants for their knowledge of traditional as well as Western medicines.
Bekki has received invaluable support from Steph over the years, including help navigating COVID while breastfeeding.
“Milk is medicine, whether it’s for your baby, or it’s to help your older children with ear infections, eye infections, eczema. It helps in many ways.”
Awehiyo is Cayuga (Wolf Clan) from Six Nations of the Grand River. She is a mother of five breastfed children and a world-class lacrosse player, formerly with the Haudenosaunee National Women’s Lacrosse Team.
Awehiyo gave birth under the care of Indigenous Midwives at the Six Nations Birthing Centre and has received lactation support from Steph. Exercise is an important form of self-care for Awehiyo. Despite being a busy breastfeeding mom, she is able to find the time with support from her partner and family.
“It’s important to me to take care of me so that I can take better take care of them. And keep me sane. Sanity’s not overrated.”
Charlee is Mohawk (Turtle Clan) from Six Nations of the Grand River. She gave birth via C-section in the hospital, where she nevertheless received continuous support from her Indigenous Midwives.
Charlee initially struggled with breastfeeding and eventually turned to pumping with support from her lactation consultant Steph. She feels blessed to be able to feed her baby from her own body.
“What I got from my lactation consultant is this feeling of, I can do it. I was born to be able to produce milk for myself. She helped me lower the expectations that I had on myself.”