By Amber Peterson: amberpeterson@lrboi-nsn.gov
May 27, 2026
Tribal Member and employee Amber Peterson entered a sweepstake to win a lactation room upgrade with the Healthy Horizons Corporate Lactation Services based in California. She submitted an entry about how the need for a lacation room at the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians would make a tremendous impact in the rural city of Manistee, bringing to light the importance of a workplace providing a safe, clean space to pump breastmilk for mothers returning to work. “The Tribal Government is setting a positive example for the community to follow, and this lactation room will hopefully spark other organizations to prioritize mamas returning to work by creating their own welcoming spaces,” states Amber who is a first time mother.
The lactation room includes a comfy chair, a pump, breastfeeding pillow, drying rack for parts, cleaning items and a sterilizer for breast pump attachment kits. The Family Spirit program, ran by Holly Lindsey, provided a fridge for milk-only storage, milk storage bags and cubbies for each woman’s personal items. It is open to employees and Tribal members during business hours.
Additional information:
Healthy Horizons Corporate Lactation Services: https://www.healthyhorizons.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop43Udqw4XQ-YjjZCCIKH-lyPwfiINAEjNKHbMLQkxxBwosU6Rw
VIDEO | The PUMP Act: What Employers Need to Know: https://youtu.be/kgIOAdFrG-0?si=w9TnCaDiO6_SdTrd
Breastfeeding Messaging Toolkit: https://asthmapregnancytoolkit.org.au/breastfeeding/
Mamava 2025 State of Breastfeeding Survey: https://www.mamava.com/why-buy-blog/2025-state-of-breastfeeding-survey