Immersion Days
Cultural and Community Immersion Day events have been held on Tribal Nations across Montana, bringing together caregivers for Indigenous birth givers and their families. These efforts began in response to disparities in perinatal healthcare and health outcomes for Indigenous women. This strength-based approach, rooted in cultural safety and inspired by traditional protocols, aims to bridge connections between Tribal maternal child health programs and urban healthcare professionals who serve their community members. The Immersion Days exemplify an equity-empowered process by amplifying the lived experiences of Indigenous populations. With Cultural Safety training provided by Dr. Amy Stiffarm, the initiatives actively identify and address the root causes and barriers of navigating challenging systems.
The initial Immersion Day took place on the Blackfeet Nation in Browning, MT, at the end of August 2023, with the Blackfeet 'Life's Blessings' event. L&D and NICU nurses from Benefis, Great Falls, MT, and Logan Health, Kalispell, MT, participated to build relationships with the Amskapi Piikuni people and programs.
The Aaniiih and Nakoda (Fort Belknap) Immersion Day followed in May 2024, with L&D and NICU nurses from Benefis and Northern Montana Health Care, Havre, MT, in attendance.
In June 2024, the Apsáalooke Immersion Day was held, welcoming L&D and NICU nurses from Billings Clinic and Intermountain Hospitals to the Crow Nation.
The final Immersion Day occurred on the Northern Cheyenne Nation, where L&D and NICU nurses from Billings Clinic and Intermountain Hospitals participated in the Tsétséstahese Só’taeo’o (Northern Cheyenne) Immersion Day.
To learn more about our Immersion Day events, read the Blackfeet Life Blessings Day Report here.
