DULUTH DOULAS

Liza is a Birth, postpartum doula/educator and Lactation peer counselor in Northern Minnesota (Duluth). She decided this was her calling for life after having her own bundle and not being supported as she hoped. She really would have loved to have a doula and preferably someone who looked like her in the delivery room but two things 1 none of the doulas in my area looked like me and 2 none of the doulas took insurance so she needed to pay out of pocket. She has spent a large chunk of her life caring for friends and family during pregnancy and birth not knowing what a doula was.When she is not in the delivery room she is teaching,chasing behind her 2 year old son or pouring intention candles. She loves all things natural and holistic and loves learning about astrology. She works in her community as a young mom educator and works with Minnesota prison doula program.She hopes with this path in life to be able to encourage, empower and educate the women of color in her community to have the best pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Wife and Mother of six. Passionate and intentional about advocating for all mothers, in fulfilling their narrative and specific desires for once own pregnancies and births. Dedicated in life to learning self-empowerment. Determined to promote intimate and positive safe births, with an unapologetic focus on disturbing white supremacy practices and cultures through human advocacy.

Symone Aje, also known as Doula Aje of She Who Hears.

I was born in Minnesota and I have been raised all over the state. I am a traditionally trained Spiritual Doula. I have 7 years worth of professional experience, and 10+ years of personal experience of supporting Pregnant Individuals of all ages. I belong to the Mikinaak/Miskwaadesi Indoodem, Turtle Clan, my clan is known to be healers, historians, and teachers; especially when it comes to fertility matters. Mikinaak/Miskwaadesi Indoodem keeps track of medicines, astrological events, migrations, births, and deaths.

On April 26th, 2018, I received my first Opwaagen (Pipe) after completing my ceremonial fast in Red Lake, Minnesota; That particular ceremony gave me the spiritual rights to hold healing lodges, and lead ceremonies on my own. I believe that cultural knowledge is relevant to being a Doula because traditionally it is something we (the Afro-Indigenous) have always done for ourselves and have been made to do for others. I believe my purpose in life is to gently remind people that it is all connected and very necessary to hold onto our values while doing this work. To strip the culture out of what it means to be a Doula, is a continued form of genocide and birth violence; and every Doula should work against this to the best of their ability.

Outside of my Doula practice, I am a Spiritual Counselor, Medicine Woman/Priest in both my African and Indignous Cultures. I do multiple forms of divination, such as tarot and cartomancy, I am a Spirit Talker (known to the English as a Medium), and I perform a variety of healing services to give back to the People, such as the Full Moon Ceremony, and House Blessings. My passion for being a Pregnancy Support started in 1st Grade when I was conditioned to help my mother and my relatives in their pregnancies. As I type this, a vivid 2nd Grade memory comes to mind, my first research project ever, was chosen for me by a Teacher’s Aid now Activist Chauntyll Allen, and it was all about birth! As I got older and transitioned into Middle School I had many young friends become pregnant and I would automatically be approached to support them while in school. I would make sure they had water, snacks, and give prenatal massages right in the middle of class! This is my Life’s Work, something I will be remembered for after I am long gone. I am very grateful for the timing and opportunity to participate in this work full time. I am very open-minded and willing to answer any questions you may have, Miigwech Y Ase (Thank you and Universal Blessings) for taking the time to read about me!