麻豆社

Haley Omeasoo grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, but disconnected from her Native American culture. Her grandparents and great-grandparents had been forced away to school and were made to give up their traditional beliefs, practices and language. Like a lot of their generations, they came back home traumatised. The practice left a legacy of substance abuse, violence and mental health issues and Haley grew up with the consequences of that. Another feature of the reservation is the disproportionately high number of people, especially women and girls, who go missing. And it was this that led Haley into her career. She trained as a forensic anthropologist, specialising in identifying human remains and causes of death. She wanted to use her expert knowledge to set up a DNA database for communities in the area, to help identify and repatriate bodies, but the idea was met with fury from some of the local elders. The search for a solution led Haley to reconnect with her lost roots and traditions. She now works with families and the police, and patrols the reservation with a team of volunteers searching for missing and murdered people.

After giving birth Eunju O was exhausted and feeling depressed. Previously a keen walker, she began hiking in the mountains carrying her newborn and started sharing her experience on social media. Her posts resonated with other mothers, who joined in, and eventually the Baby Hiking Club was born. Since its founding in 2024, the club has grown to more than 2,000 members. Our reporter Yujin Choi joined the mothers and babies on a hike to discuss how the club has helped its members both physically and mentally.

Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producers: Rachel Oakes & Julian Siddle

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photos: Haley in traditional regalia with her sister in law / as a girl in her jingle dress. Credit: Haley Omeasoo)