Indigenous Women's Reproductive Traditions

What happens when centuries-old reproductive traditions clash with colonial impositions? In Indigenous Women's Reproductive Traditions, Stephanie A. Sellers delves into the rich history of Indigenous women's reproductive practices before European colonization. The book highlights traditional methods such as birth control, abortion, and child spacing, which were integral to maintaining agency over their bodies. Sellers explores how these practices were disrupted by European patriarchal structures and examines the impact of forced sterilization in the 20th century. Today, Indigenous women are reclaiming their rights through movements for reproductive justice, advocating for a return to their ancestral practices and redefining concepts of womanhood and motherhood on their own tribal terms. Ideal for courses in Women and Gender Studies, Cultural Anthropology, and Native American Studies, this book offers crucial insights into the intersection of traditional practices and colonial impacts on Indigenous women's reproductive rights.