The Makah Birth House

Our Mission

The Hi•dubał Baʔas works to reclaim and honor the wisdom and knowledge of Makah ancestors, elders, and birth workers by supporting and promoting our community-led research, education, Makah language, and preservation of traditional Makah birthing practices for future generations.

The Challenge

Makah birthing parents have had to travel 1.5 hours each way for prenatal care and to give birth, far from home, family, and cultural support. After birth, many reported needing to travel again to Port Angeles for lactation support. This distance has meant that families often experienced pregnancy and early parenting without the presence of their community.

The loss of local birthing practices began when the road to Neah Bay was built in the mid-20th century, shifting all births away from home and into outside facilities. With that shift, Makah birthing traditions began to disappear, leaving generations of parents feeling unsupported.

This is why we stepped in — to ensure that birthing people and families in our community can once again access care that is rooted in Makah culture, language, and traditions.

Our Services

• Indigenous Birthworker Services Eleven Indigenous-trained birthworkers provide full-spectrum care grounded in our communities and cultures, serving Tribal communities across the Olympic Peninsula.
• Peer Lactation Counseling A trained lactation counselor offers in-home breastfeeding support to new and expecting parents.
• Makah Children’s Playgroup Yakya•daqi• (children) and Me is our community space where children and families learn Makah stories, language, songs, and dances.