Nome mom overcomes barriers to abortion and finds new freedom

Synopsis

While abortion is technically protected in Alaska under the state’s constitution, whether or not you can obtain an abortion in the state often depends on who you are. Lisa Phu at the Alaska Beacon reports on what that looks like through Niviaaluk Brandt’s story, who had an unnecessarily difficult time finding and traveling to get an abortion in 2015 as part of the King Island Native Community. Abortion in Alaska is often inaccessible, especially within Indigenous communities, due to the distance between abortion clinics, the need for child care during an abortion, and subsequent costs including travel and lodging. 

But Niviaaluk was fortunate to have a supportive family who organized the logistics for their abortion appointment. Niviaaluk’s abortion enabled them to leave their partner and inspired them to go back to school, opening the doors for a new life.