Latest news with #WhiteHawk
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
WhiteHawk Capital Partners Announces $70 Million Senior Secured Term Loan to a Leading Operator in the Food Distribution and Logistics Sector
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 13, 2025-- WhiteHawk Capital Partners: 'We are pleased to provide this flexible financing solution to a company in an essential sector,' said Alex Zuckerman, Managing Director at WhiteHawk. 'WhiteHawk remains committed to supporting businesses with strong fundamentals and growth potential through tailored capital solutions.' About WhiteHawk WhiteHawk Capital Partners ('WhiteHawk') is a private credit investment manager focused on asset-based financing solutions primarily to middle market private and public companies across a variety of industries. WhiteHawk is dedicated to bringing creative and flexible non-traditional capital solutions to companies in need of liquidity and growth capital. WhiteHawk provides senior secured financing under a variety of structures for purposes of refinancing, recapitalization, growth, acquisition, restructuring, bridge and DIP/emergence. As a direct lender, WhiteHawk seeks to be a preferred partner to banks and other traditional and non-traditional lenders, helping provide complete financing solutions to borrowers. Since 2015, the firm's professionals, at WhiteHawk and in prior capacities, have been providing asset-based loans with attractive loan to values ('LTVs') to public and private middle-market companies facing liquidity challenges or in 'out of favor' industries and, as of March 31, 2025, has invested in 91 loans with 68 realizations with $4.6 billion+ of gross loans originated. If you would like more information about WhiteHawk Capital or have any questions regarding the firm's role in this transaction, please contact WhiteHawk Capital at [email protected] View source version on [email protected] KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RETAIL TRANSPORT LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SUPERMARKET FINANCE SOURCE: WhiteHawk Capital Partners Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 06/13/2025 07:19 PM/DISC: 06/13/2025 07:17 PM
News.com.au
04-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
ASX April Tech Winners: Tech sector pulls off market gymnastic to land on its feet, with defence stocks and Harvest Tech on top
Tech gets its groove back with help from Wall Street and RBA Defence tech darlings like WhiteHawk and Elsight grab the spotlight Harvest Tech goes global, Droneshield fires again In April 2025, the ASX tech sector finally got its mojo back, punching out a near 6% gain and coming in just behind telcos for the month. It marked a significant rebound for tech stocks, especially when the sector had been the worst performer in March. Tech stocks managed to rally through the tariff chaos. Part of the lift also came from the RBA finally getting inflation back in the zone. With trimmed mean inflation dipping to 2.9% – the first time it's landed within the 2-3% target in almost four years – markets started whispering about rate cuts. ANZ thinks a 25bps this month is a near cert. And in that kind of setup, tech stocks usually shine. Lower rates are like oxygen for growth stocks, and suddenly investors are leaning back in. The US tech scene was lighting up too. Wall Street was rallying with the Nasdaq and S&P both ticking higher during the month, thanks to a fresh wave of optimism around the big global names after seeing off the worst of the post-Liberation Day sell off. Aussie tech tends to follow Wall Street's lead, and this time was no different. When the big dogs bark, the pack moves. The big bonus came when Donald Trump stepped in with some tariff relief, cutting a break for consumer tech gear like smartphones and chips, before winding back some of his rhetoric on China and the US' other trade partners. That took some pressure off and gave global tech a bit more breathing room, another tailwind that carried over to local players. Put all that together, and April found a sweet spot for ASX tech — a mix of cooling inflation, global momentum, and a bit of policy luck, giving the sector the boost it was hanging out for. ASX tech winners in April Code Name Price Month % Change Market Cap WHK Whitehawk Limited 0.015 88% $10,794,154 HTG Harvest Tech Grp Ltd 0.020 54% $17,918,935 BDT Birddog 0.049 53% $7,912,815 UBN Ltd 0.805 45% $51,929,748 DRO Droneshield Limited 1.340 41% $1,171,280,813 1TT Thrive Tribe Tech 0.002 33% $4,063,446 ELS Elsight Ltd 0.450 27% $81,716,045 ASB Austal Limited 5.310 26% $2,236,466,034 BRN Brainchip Ltd 0.270 26% $546,950,268 SNS Sensen Networks Ltd 0.028 22% $22,205,049 X2M X2M Connect Limited 0.020 18% $7,566,825 AVA AVA Risk Group Ltd 0.105 17% $30,499,563 KNO Knosys Limited 0.043 16% $9,293,964 CAT Catapult Grp Int Ltd 4.090 16% $1,110,124,675 EOL Energy One Limited 12.550 15% $393,196,307 DUB Dubber Corp Ltd 0.041 14% $107,558,066 EIQ Echoiq Ltd 0.330 14% $194,211,944 MP1 Megaport Limited 11.420 14% $1,835,759,096 AJX Alexium Int Group 0.009 13% $14,277,858 SPZ Smart Parking Ltd 0.865 12% $354,782,268 DTZ Dotz Nano Ltd 0.075 12% $42,817,322 FND Findi Limited 4.600 11% $284,285,617 WTC Wisetech Global Ltd 88.520 11% $29,615,314,049 HSN Hansen Technologies 5.410 10% $1,102,731,753 ESK Etherstack PLC 0.285 10% $37,669,021 DWG Dataworks Group 0.175 9% $17,889,208 KYP Kinatico Ltd 0.180 9% $77,776,557 BCC Beam Communications 0.099 8% $8,555,770 ATA Atturralimited 0.875 7% $333,959,567 FCL Fineos Corp Hold PLC 2.190 7% $741,314,266 AMO Ambertech Limited 0.160 7% $15,264,765 YOJ Yojee Limited 0.175 6% $55,975,125 FCT Firstwave Cloud Tech 0.018 6% $30,843,336 AT1 Atomo Diagnostics 0.018 6% $11,505,642 TNE Technology One 30.060 5% $9,840,698,342 XRO Xero Ltd 164.190 5% $25,222,482,282 360 Life360 Inc. 21.940 5% $3,862,333,002 TYR Tyro Payments 0.805 5% $425,319,795 SKO Serko 3.490 4% $429,711,021 DCC Digitalx Limited 0.052 4% $62,588,442 CF1 Complii Fintech Ltd 0.027 4% $15,427,628 VIG Victor Group Hldgs 0.062 3% $40,438,054 AR9 Archtis Limited 0.064 3% $18,429,898 OCL Objective Corp 15.650 3% $1,495,956,050 BTH Bigtincan Hldgs Ltd 0.215 2% $176,660,326 GTK Gentrack Group Ltd 10.800 2% $1,163,396,477 OEC Orbital Corp Limited 0.090 2% $14,830,175 CCR Credit Clear 0.235 2% $99,792,431 PPS Praemium Limited 0.745 2% $355,897,805 XYZ Block Inc 92.300 2% $5,191,834,942 QHL Quickstep Holdings 0.575 2% $41,242,573 DTL Data#3 Limited 7.280 2% $1,127,732,664 CPU Computershare Ltd 40.720 1% $23,804,505,004 NXT Nextdc Limited 11.830 1% $7,576,122,345 DSE Dropsuite Ltd 5.810 1% $412,442,372 WhiteHawk (ASX:WHK) Cybersecurity firm Whitehawk's shares soared after landing a major cyber deal in the US, teaming up with Knexus Research and a few big-name players on a government-wide contract worth up to US$920 million over 10 years. WHK is the only cyber partner on the team, which beat out 22 other groups to win the deal. The contract doesn't bring in cash straight away, it's task-based, so the dollars flow as the work gets handed out. But thanks to a White House order pushing more federal spending into deals like this, WhiteHawk reckons there's big recurring revenue potential ahead. WHK's role will be to roll out cyber risk tools to help US agencies fight fraud and foreign threats. Harvest Technology Group (ASX:HTG) During the month of April, Harvest listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, giving it a foot in the door to Europe's massive capital markets without issuing new shares. The move is aimed at building visibility and drawing in more European investors across key sectors like defence, telco, aerospace, and maritime, where demand for its low-bandwidth, secure video tech is on the rise. The listing lines up with HTG's growing customer base in Europe, where its Nodestream platform is already making rapid traction. HTG is now planning a roadshow across the continent in June, catching up with customers and pitching to high-level investors. No dilution, low cost, and a shot at global growth, HTG reckons this move is right on target. Urbanise (ASX:UBN) During the month, Urbanise reported its performance year for FY24. The company tightened its focus and set itself up for longer-term growth. It brought in a new Chairman, Darc Rasmussen, who saw straight away that Urbanise could lead the way in strata and facilities management software. The company is now running hard on a three-part game plan: grow its customer base, deliver more value through smart features, and connect clients with service providers directly through its platform. Over the year, it locked in $1.04 million in new recurring revenue, added clever new tools like predictive analytics, and slashed operating costs by 14% thanks to better cash flow and fewer bespoke projects. The plan is to hit cash flow sustainability by FY25, and the company said it's laser-focused on making it happen. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) Droneshield rose after locking in five fresh defence contracts worth $32.2 million from a military customer in the Asia Pacific during April, via a big-name global reseller. The company will deliver counterdrone gear through Q2 and Q3 next year, with payments expected during that time. The new deals follow $12.3 million in previous orders from the same buyer, showing demand is ramping up as militaries move from trial runs to full rollouts. With gear that tackles next-gen drone threats, DroneShield reckons it's in the box seat as interest picks up across the region. Elsight (ASX:ELS) Elsight is entering a big new phase, locking in a $4.25 million deal with a European defence giant to deliver its technology over four months. CEO Yoav Amitai reckons it will not only give revenue a nice lift but also put Elsight firmly on the radar in the booming defence space. With war tensions driving up defence budgets across Europe and the US, Yoav says Elsight's drone comms gear is landing in the right place at the right time, giving unmanned systems stronger, smarter control. And even with global tariff noise around, the company said it's staying steady thanks to a spread-out manufacturing setup. Yoav said this recent deal in Europe just the beginning. ASX tech losers in April Code Name Price Month % Change Market Cap FBR FBR Ltd 0.006 -40% $33,813,791 ATV Activeportgroupltd 0.009 -36% $6,164,794 NVQ Noviqtech Limited 0.031 -34% $7,797,633 EPX Ept Global Limited 0.026 -33% $17,127,137 LNU Linius Tech Limited 0.001 -33% $6,151,216 VR1 Vection Technologies 0.018 -33% $27,549,994 IFG Infocusgroup Hldltd 0.007 -30% $1,754,886 3DP Pointerra Limited 0.060 -29% $48,304,608 SPX Spenda Limited 0.005 -29% $23,076,077 CT1 Constellation Tech 0.002 -25% $2,212,101 PIL Peppermint Inv Ltd 0.003 -25% $6,712,918 NXL Nuix Limited 2.430 -24% $803,681,994 GTI Gratifii 0.075 -22% $25,409,205 EXT Excite Technology 0.011 -21% $20,049,061 SP3 Specturltd 0.011 -21% $3,389,651 CGO CPT Global Limited 0.050 -21% $2,094,868 SEN Senetas Corporation 0.019 -20% $30,636,353 IOD Iodm Limited 0.145 -19% $89,401,807 ROC Rocketboots 0.081 -19% $11,795,694 FL1 First Lithium Ltd 0.065 -19% $5,177,484 OPL Opyl Limited 0.026 -19% $5,017,176 RDY Readytech Holdings 2.100 -19% $256,494,158 PRO Prophecy Internation 0.425 -18% $31,343,297 SLX Silex Systems 3.090 -18% $735,737,417 HCL Highcom Ltd 0.180 -16% $18,482,881 CYB Aucyber Limited 0.078 -16% $16,332,942 ASV Assetvisonco 0.032 -16% $23,659,570 XF1 Xref Limited 0.115 -15% $25,310,323 8CO 8Common Limited 0.018 -14% $4,033,708 EVS Envirosuite Ltd 0.072 -14% $104,306,666 W2V Way2Vatltd 0.006 -14% $5,604,001 WBT Weebit Nano Ltd 1.765 -14% $366,935,969 DTI DTI Group Ltd 0.007 -13% $3,139,860 EOS Electro Optic Sys. 1.225 -13% $236,366,321 XPN Xpon Technologies 0.007 -13% $2,537,090 LIS Lisenergylimited 0.110 -12% $70,422,025 OLL Openlearning 0.015 -12% $7,240,120 AXE Archer Materials 0.265 -12% $67,534,458 CXZ Connexion Mobility 0.027 -11% $22,174,299 NVX Novonix Limited 0.425 -11% $270,323,663 1CG One Click Group Ltd 0.008 -11% $9,423,039 BLG Bluglass Limited 0.016 -11% $29,448,965 HYD Hydrix Limited 0.016 -11% $4,364,302 SPA Spacetalk Ltd 0.205 -11% $14,926,476 VNL Vinyl Group Ltd 0.094 -10% $118,350,130 BEO Beonic Ltd 0.180 -10% $12,754,981 AI1 Adisyn Ltd 0.050 -9% $36,116,280 RKT Rocketdna Ltd. 0.010 -9% $9,155,232 RWL Rubicon Water 0.255 -9% $61,377,250 COS Cosol Limited 0.730 -9% $132,851,821 XRG Xreality Group Ltd 0.032 -9% $18,271,433 IFM Infomedia Ltd 1.240 -8% $469,240,416 SOR Strategic Elements 0.034 -8% $15,939,487 DUG DUG Tech 1.025 -8% $138,024,041 NOR Norwood Systems Ltd. 0.024 -8% $11,750,684 ODA Orcoda Limited 0.074 -8% $13,876,052 JCS Jcurve Solutions 0.025 -7% $8,258,586 5GN 5G Networks Limited 0.130 -7% $38,744,410 NVU Nanoveu Limited 0.039 -7% $28,954,779 QOR Qoria Limited 0.395 -7% $514,126,184 FLX Felix Group 0.200 -7% $40,899,943 IRI Integrated Research 0.410 -7% $72,714,610 MX1 Micro-X Limited 0.058 -6% $38,522,051 SMN Structural Monitor. 0.390 -6% $60,178,969 ACE Acusensus Limited 1.050 -5% $147,027,155 PPK PPK Group Limited 0.305 -5% $27,697,812 AD8 Audinate Group Ltd 6.140 -5% $511,815,627 ERD Eroad Limited 0.840 -4% $157,424,931 RUL Rpmglobal Hldgs Ltd 2.750 -4% $610,623,648 SMP Smartpay Holdings 0.770 -4% $186,296,467 NOV Novatti Group Ltd 0.027 -4% $14,657,783 4DS 4Ds Memory Limited 0.030 -3% $60,069,707 TZL TZ Limited 0.062 -3% $17,398,074 RKN Reckon Limited 0.480 -3% $54,381,519 JAN Janison Edu Group 0.165 -3% $42,881,562 DXN DXN Limited 0.034 -3% $10,155,924 IKE Ikegps Group Ltd 0.715 -3% $115,159,825 PHX Pharmx Technologies 0.077 -3% $46,085,023 BVS Bravura Solution Ltd 2.190 -2% $981,895,264 IRE IRESS Limited 7.950 -2% $1,484,976,318 CDA Codan Limited 15.750 -2% $2,859,740,762 EML EML Payments Ltd 0.975 -2% $372,343,316 VGL Vista Group Int Ltd 3.280 -1% $783,376,770 This story does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decision.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WhiteHawk Energy acquires natural gas assets in Marcellus Shale for $118m
WhiteHawk Energy has announced the acquisition of additional natural gas mineral and royalty assets in the Marcellus Shale for $118m. The transaction doubles WhiteHawk's ownership interest across its existing 475,000 gross unit acres and enhances its position, primarily in the counties of Washington and Greene in Pennsylvania. EQT, Range Resources, CNX Resources and Antero Resources manage approximately 95% of the production, cash flow and present value from the Marcellus assets. The deal is effective from 1 January 2025. WhiteHawk's Marcellus Shale holdings now span roughly 675,000 gross acres, with output derived from approximately 2,068 horizontal shale wells. The company also holds mineral and royalty interests in 141 wells-in-progress, 66 permitted wells and 1,713 undeveloped Marcellus locations, with potential from the underlying Utica Shale. WhiteHawk Energy CEO Daniel C. Herz said: 'The 2025 Marcellus Acquisition provides WhiteHawk additional production, line-of-site development, undeveloped inventory and cash flow from our core Appalachia position. 'Today's transaction marks our sixth acquisition over the last three years and the third acquisition of royalty interests on these assets, which have continuously outperformed our expectations, and fully consolidates these positions into WhiteHawk. 'This Marcellus Shale acquisition is the ideal natural gas minerals position, combining best-in-class natural gas operators, proven and predictable production, and the lowest break-even drilling costs in the US.' Alongside its Marcellus assets, WhiteHawk also holds natural gas mineral and royalty interests in the Haynesville Shale, spanning approximately 375,000 gross acres and comprising 1,371 producing horizontal shale wells. The Haynesville assets are actively developed by Expand Energy, Aethon Energy Management and Comstock Resources. The Marcellus Shale assets have performed above expectations since WhiteHawk initially acquired them in March 2022. WhiteHawk Energy previously reached an agreement to acquire further natural gas mineral and royalty assets in the Marcellus Shale region in November 2023 from an undisclosed company for $54m. "WhiteHawk Energy acquires natural gas assets in Marcellus Shale for $118m" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WhiteHawk Energy Acquires Natural Gas Mineral and Royalty Interests Across 475,000 Gross Unit Acres in Core of Marcellus Shale
WhiteHawk closes $118 million acquisition of additional Marcellus Shale natural gas mineral and royalty assets by doubling its ownership interests in its existing 475,000 gross unit acres position Acquisition generates cash flow from over 1,400 wells, anchored by top-tier operators EQT, Range Resources, and CNX Resources This transaction increases WhiteHawk's natural gas mineral and royalty interests in its approximately 1,050,000 gross unit acres in the core of the Marcellus and Haynesville Shales with interests in over 3,400 producing wells PHILADELPHIA, March 31, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--WhiteHawk Energy, LLC ("WhiteHawk" or the "Company") announced today an acquisition which increased its interest in its existing Marcellus Shale minerals and royalties position ("2025 Marcellus Acquisition"). This $118 million transaction doubles the Company's present ownership interest in a portion of its Marcellus Shale royalties position (across 475,000 gross unit acres) primarily focused in Washington and Greene counties, Pennsylvania. The transaction has an effective date of January 1, 2025. The assets are 95% operated by best-in-class natural gas operators EQT (NYSE: EQT), Range Resources (NYSE: RRC), and CNX Resources (NYSE: CNX), and have continued to perform above expectations since WhiteHawk's initial acquisition of this position in March 2022. "The 2025 Marcellus Acquisition provides WhiteHawk additional production, line-of-site development, undeveloped inventory and cash flow from our core Appalachia position. Today's transaction marks our sixth acquisition over the last three years and the third acquisition of royalty interests on these assets, which have continuously outperformed our expectations and fully consolidates these positions into WhiteHawk," stated Daniel C. Herz, Chief Executive Officer of WhiteHawk. "This Marcellus Shale acquisition is the ideal natural gas minerals position, combining best-in-class natural gas operators, proven and predictable production, and the lowest break-even drilling costs in the U.S." WhiteHawk's consolidated Marcellus Shale assets cover approximately 675,000 gross unit acres, with production from approximately 2,068 horizontal shale wells. Additionally, WhiteHawk owns mineral and royalty interests in 141 wells-in-progress, 66 permitted wells, and 1,713 undeveloped Marcellus locations, with additional potential from the underlying Utica Shale. Approximately 95% of production, cash flow, and present value associated with the Marcellus assets are operated by EQT, Range Resources, CNX Resources, and Antero Resources (NYSE: AR). WhiteHawk also owns natural gas mineral and royalty assets in the Haynesville Shale, covering approximately 375,000 gross unit acres and approximately 1,371 producing horizontal shale wells. Additionally, WhiteHawk owns mineral and royalty interests in 127 wells-in-progress, 189 permitted wells, and 966 undeveloped Haynesville locations. The Company's Haynesville Shale assets are actively being developed by Expand Energy (NASDAQ: EXE), Aethon Energy Management and Comstock Resources (NYSE: CRK). About WhiteHawk Energy WhiteHawk Energy, LLC is focused on acquiring mineral and royalty interests in top tier natural gas resource plays, including the Haynesville and Marcellus Shales. The management team at WhiteHawk has successfully grown over $13 billion of minerals, midstream, and exploration and development companies over the last 20 years. Please go to for more information. Advisors Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acted as legal counsel to WhiteHawk. For more information, please visit the Company's website at or contact its corporate relations department at jslotterback@ Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters discussed within this press release are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. The Company does not undertake any duty to update any statements contained herein (including any forward-looking statements), except as required by law. This document contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, resource potential, and the Company's plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those associated with general economic and business conditions; changes in government environmental policies and other environmental risks; the availability of drilling equipment and the timing of production; tax consequences of potential balance sheet and other transactions; and global health conditions, including the impact of COVID-19. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such statements, except as may be required by applicable law. View source version on Contacts Corporate Relationsjslotterback@
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Ambiguous Loss' — A Team of Researchers is Learning From Indigenous Women Whose Children Were Adopted
Nancy Marie Spears The Imprint Hoping to offer a rare in-depth look into how placing children for adoption impacts the lives of Indigenous birth mothers, a group of researchers is continuing efforts to document the experiences of American Indian and Alaska Native women. Their study, believed to be the first of its kind, focuses on mental health and grief. The research is being carried out in stages and has already surfaced several themes, including 'ambiguous loss' — 'a stressful and traumatizing'' event that occurs when there is 'no verification, closure, rituals for support, or resolution.'' A small sample of Indigenous birth mothers informed the study's initial findings, originally published in a 2022 peer-reviewed article in the Family Process journal. Now, researchers intend to expand their work by surveying a larger number of Indigenous mothers and further examining the roles of culture and history. Participants are being recruited online, and through word of mouth and flyers being distributed throughout rural and urban Indigenous communities. Understanding the systemic challenges that lead to Indigenous women's children being placed for adoption might ultimately help inform future child welfare and adoption practices, said Sicangu Lakota elder Sandy White Hawk, lead investigator. Such insights might also lead to a better understanding of the specific support Native birth mothers need during and after an adoption, researchers said. 'It is my hope that it will motivate policy change on child removal — that child welfare will begin to focus on family healing rather than child removal,' White Hawk said. White Hawk's interest comes from a personal place — she was adopted at 18 months old. She is the founder and director of the Minnetonka-based First Nations Repatriation Institute, which helps Indigenous people impacted by adoption or foster care reconnect with their families and identities. For the study's initial phase, her team interviewed eight women from Minnesota, Washington, New Mexico, North Dakota, Alaska, Oregon and Wisconsin. Researchers acknowledged the small sample size but said the interviews yielded 'rich data'' nonetheless. Researcher Ashley Landers said previous studies involving the impact of foster care and adoption on birth mothers have mainly centered on the lives of white mothers. 'I don't think it's by chance that no Native birth mothers were included in birth parent research prior to this,' said Landers, an associate professor in the Department of Human Sciences at Ohio State University. 'Their part of the story has been largely omitted — Native birth fathers have also been omitted, and the larger Native family impact is oftentimes not part of adoption research.' History weighs heavily on the experiences of Indigenous birth mothers, making them 'distinct from other races as they have been disproportionately exposed to systemic practices of forced child removal,'' White Hawk's team posited in the 2022 published article. Culprits include U.S. policies that coerced parents into relinquishing their children to boarding schools, and the Indian Adoption Project — a federally funded effort in the mid-20th century to force the assimilation of Native American children into white families. Also harmful, they wrote, is the ongoing disproportionate removal of Native children from their parents through the country's child welfare systems. Taking this broader cultural context into account is crucial to understanding how adoption impacts the well-being of Native women, whose grief may be complicated by intergenerational trauma, researchers wrote. Two of the original study participants grew up in foster care, and one is a descendant of boarding school survivors. In all, the eight study participants were between the ages of 33 and 77 at the time of the survey. Each had experienced separation from a child through adoption or foster care between 1959 and 2010. The eight birth mothers lost a combined 10 babies under age 1 to adoption. Most of the children were placed in adoptive homes at birth. Only two children grew up in a Native adoptive home. A majority of those interviewed were 23 years old and younger when they gave birth. A Washington state birth mother was 13 years old and in foster care when she became pregnant. Her foster mother put her into a home for 'unwed mothers,' the woman reported. Some tried to hide their pregnancies out of a sense of shame or fear of repercussions. They lacked essential resources, such as income and family support. Some had struggled with homelessness. Many women said they 'felt expected' to give up their babies and reported being pressured by parents or partners, according to the published study. Others were afraid to keep their infants because they were in an abusive relationship. In terms of the events that contributed to a sense of ambiguous loss' among the women, several recalled being denied the opportunity to say goodbye. A lack of closure also occurred in cases in which mothers said they were told the adoption would be 'open,'' but those agreements were not upheld. Some reported being confused. It didn't occur to them that their time after giving birth would be the final moments they would see their babies. Researchers also queried the women about their mental health and well-being following the adoptions. Feelings expressed included guilt and unresolved grief that lasted years. A Minnesota woman shared how her experience led to a lifetime of self-imposed isolation. 'I don't have a lot of people close to me — from that fear of losing family and fear of losing my daughter, and I don't have the best relationship with my kids,' she said. Depression and anxiety were common, and some reported substance abuse challenges that were either pre-existing and exacerbated by the adoptions, or began afterwards. 'I wasn't a drug user or an alcohol user until that happened,' a birth mother from Oregon said. 'This was drinking to get so drunk that you fall asleep or getting high and just throwing yourself into really bad situations because you don't want to deal with what you've been through.' Not every experience reported was negative. Some mothers said the schools, social services agencies or churches facilitating their child's adoption were helpful. A woman from New Mexico said in her case, they 'made all the arrangements.' And a few birth mothers reported feeling 'relief' after the adoption, and that they had done 'the right thing.'' 'I was so young, and I was like, can I really be a parent…I think adoption might be the best route,'' one woman said. 'I think about it now, and how brave I was to do that.'' 'We forget about our birthmothers. They carry tremendous guilt and shame, many of them for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, when they were targeted by institutions and professionals disguised as helpers.' Five women voiced a common belief that 'culture as medicine' allowed them to assuage the pain of giving up their children and was a key component of their resilience. 'As an adult I got back into my culture and, fortunately, when I got back into my culture was when I started speaking candidly about my past,' the Minnesota mother said. 'So, I think it's helped.' Landers said the next phase of research will document additional instances of perceived coercion and examine how birth mothers navigated their lives over time. The goal is to recruit at least 20 participants for the new survey, but researchers have the capacity to include up to 50 women, she said. Opinions from birth mothers about how best to facilitate healing will also be solicited. 'Talking circles,' which are built around women with shared experiences, was one example mentioned in the 2022 article. Specifically, Landers said, researchers want to know how to help Indigenous birth mothers recover from ambiguous loss. This information will be presented to tribal leaders and the larger Native community, through national conferences and other forums. 'We forget about our birthmothers,' Landers said. 'They carry tremendous guilt and shame, many of them for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, when they were targeted by institutions and professionals disguised as helpers. 'I am not sure there is a way to right the wrongs that have been done to Indigenous birth mothers and their children,'' she continued, 'but acknowledging their suffering is a step in the right direction.' This story is being co-published with The Imprint, a national nonprofit news outlet covering child welfare and youth justice.
