I have a longstanding interest in traditional Mexican midwifery, one which was born many years before I even contemplated becoming a birth worker myself. Ever since first living in Mexico as a curious teenager on a yearlong exchange program some twenty years ago I have been fascinated by the wisdom and traditional practices not only of the indigenous populations of Mexico but also those from other parts of the world and another area that has long interested me is the use of traditional woven textiles to support women through their rites of passages and changing social identities through the courses of their lives.

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With a background in anthropology, education and community development I came to the sphere of birth after the arrival of my second child with a particular interest in cultural competency in the birth space and natural intrigue about different birthing practices around the world. I became aware of Naoli’s work soon after my transition to birth work and was immediately inspired to learn from her, although I felt somewhat disheartened by the distance between Melbourne and Florianópolis so it was a joy to learn that she would start offering her workshops online and of course I jumped at the chance to learn from her.

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As her partner, Naoli has offered me a percentage of the subscription fee for anyone who signs up to her workshops through my dedicated partner page. With these profits I am start supporting The Rhodanthe Lipsett Indigenous Midwifery Charitable Fund which provides a number of scholarships each year to support and encourage Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people to undertake their midwifery education and expand their skills and confidence in caring for Indigenous mothers and their infants. The Fund’s primary goal is to improve the health and well-being of Indigenous women and babies by assisting to increase the number of Indigenous midwives across Australia.

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For additional information about this fund:  http://indigenousmidwives.org.au