First, thank you to all, on and off Lactnet listserve, for agreeing or at
least supporting my thoughts.

This is a topic I hold close and live by. I am medically trained, work with
many doctors and PhD researchers, and have strong traditions. I respect
everyone's right to share an opinion.

If I may be flippant (but honest) for a moment, western medicines and
society have destroyed much of Indigenous wellness. Teaching and pushing
for us to follow the western, science-based establishment has hurt my
people, and thousands of other Indigenous peoples, around the globe.

To respond with more science to prove a point, was not a helpful response,
not a good way to forward this conversation that all medical people are
having.

Yes, we do know that there are some medicines which shouldn't be used in
every case. My medicine woman takes a very detailed medical history
including all forms of medications, to ensure my health, or the health of
my children, won't be compromised.

I also understand there are medicine people who do not practice under those
guidelines. That is a frightening thought.

But, to lump us all into the same pot is not helpful nor is it useful.

We are the INTERNATIONAL board certified lactation consultant association,
not the 'western.'

Practicing under that banner should force us to keep our minds open.

For all I have said, I am very science-based in how I practice and work
with moms and babies. In the 13 years I have been working in my community,
science has only proven that our teachings are correct. Not the other way
around.

We should all critically think about any new piece of information -
traditional or science. Remember, there are many who say Reiki doesn't
work, that immunizations are bad, and that revising tongue ties don't
help.  People can always find a science article to prove their point, on
one side or the other.

As I said in my original post, if you don't want to follow to traditional
practices, that is your choice. But, if you are working with Indigenous
women opr just women from another culture, you show your implicit bias
(dare I say the harsher word?) when you do not respect what the families
are explaining to you.

My Oneida people have been a people who knows how long, thousands and
thousands of years? We had breastmilk and Traditional Medicine, which as a
teach, were our source of medicines. Western society has been here for
much, much less time. [I also have my Hons BA in history :P]

I do not want to take up more time or space on lactnet. If people want to
continue this conversation, please, email me, as many of you have done
(Nya:weh).

Steph George, IBCLC
Oneida Nation

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