We are Dr. Alayna Eagle Shield and Red Rock Perkins, the proud co-founders of Iyotanla.
Together, we've been creating cradleboards for over four years- a journey deeply rooted in our shared lifeways, ceremonies, and love for our culture.
Through Iyotanla, we share cradleboarding as a resurgent site for language, culture, and lifeways.
It's not just about creating; it's about reclaiming and teaching. With every cradleboard, every workshop, and every conversation, we strive to pass on the power of our ancestors' teachings while guiding our children- and others- toward embracing their identities in meaningful and artistic ways.
Our upbringing within our homelands shaped our worldview and passion for revitalizing and reclaiming our traditional practices.
About Us
Alayna grew up on the Standing Rock Nation, and Red Rock grew up on the lands of the Three Affiliated Tribes, also known as the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation.
We've been together for 14 years and married for nine of those beautiful years. We have five amazing children who inspire us every single day.
Mitakuyapi!
(Relatives!)
We're both grounded with a "Rez education" from our homelands and academic experiences in tribal, state, and university settings.
Alayna holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology, minor in Chemistry, with a PreMed focus, a Master of Public Health (MPH) with an American Indian focus from North Dakota State University, and a PhD in Culturally Sustaining Education from the University of Washington.
Red Rock holds an Associate of Business (AS) and a Building Trades certificate, both from Sitting Bull College. We're also both certified Indigenous Lacatation Counselors (ILC) and doulas, dedicated to uplifting families through traditional birthing practices, support, and ceremonies.