This Go Ge Yi “Spring” at the Center for Native Health, we have been enjoying the part of the year when everything wakes back up. We have stayed busy in the CNH Mother’s Garden at Kituwah—tending to the plants that made it through the Winter, planting seeds for our spring and summer crops, and implementing some of the plans that we made during the quiet months—when we were dreaming about this year’s garden.

In March, we were blessed to have our Mother’s Council and some students from the Kituwah Preservation Education Program (the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Cherokee language immersion program) come help us prepare the soil for planting in our Mother’s Garden.  We talked to them about the importance of this garden to us—that it will help us support babies, mothers, and families with the plants we grow here. We asked them to help us fill buckets with Johnson Grass roots as a way of combating the invasive weed. As the kids were working, they began searching for the biggest, deepest roots they could find, and when they got a really big chunk of root, they would hold it up and show it off to their friends. One boy was digging in a place alone and called out to his friends: “Hey, you GOTTA come over here. This place is stacked!” What a joy to have the young people in the garden. Now every time I’m in the garden pulling up Johnson Grass, I try to channel that young boy’s joy of discovery—this place is STACKED with weeds! What a gift.

The CNH Garden really is feeling abundant already. Some of the blueberries we planted last March are already bearing fruit, as are the strawberries and raspberries. Our friends at Ogadudala have planted a new area of the garden with potatoes, and the Bee boxes that the kids painted last year are full of bees—you can see them coming and going all day.

With this new energy we are renewed in our vision for CNH:

We envision a world where Indigenous communities thrive—grounded in culture, rich in tradition, alive with laughter, and collectively shaping a future that honors the past.

Trey Adcock, PhD Bonnie Claxton, JD
ᏣᎳᎩᎯ ᎠᏰᎵ, Cherokee Nation Chickasaw Nation
Executive Director Deputy Director

• The CNH Garden at Kituwah is OPEN - EVERY Tuesday afternoon, volunteers WELCOME

• Mothers’ Gatherings - THIRD Tuesday of each month

• 2026 Cherokee Rally for Recovery July 10th, 3:00-6:00pm at Peaches Squirrell Sports & Recreation Complex (1212 Birdtown Rd, Cherokee, NC)

Art, Language & Healing:

CHEROKEE POTTERS MASTER APPRENTICE PROGRAM: With the completion of the Birdtown Community Kiln last summer, ᎠᏏᎾᏏ ᏃᎴ ᎠᏙᎴᏆᏍᎩ “asinasi nole adolegwasgi” the Cherokee Potters Master Apprentice Program will transition to work centered on traditional technique workshops, classes, community firing, exhibition, and sales events for artisans’ economic opportunities.

EBCI YOUTH RIVER CANE PROJECT: ᎢᏯ ih ya: EBCI Youth River Cane Project is meant to teach, protect and promote Cherokee traditional art, resources and land care for present and future generations. Last year’s harvests are being used by RTCAR’s cohort of artists.

INDIGENOUS LOGIC MODEL COHORT: Last year, we formed the first-ever Indigenous Logic Model Cohort of five Cherokee artists to engage in this process of learning about logic model development, including graphic facilitation, illustrated note-taking, and concept visualization. In February, we continued this work, meeting to share updates on their work, participated in a quick draw activity, and engaged in a graphic recording review of Tom Belt’s speech from the June 2023 Land and Wellness event. An info session was hosted in March, calling for artists interested in creative skill building. The second cohort of artists met for the first time in April, introducing logic models and organizational concepts to new participants.

REVITALIZATION OF TRADITIONAL CHEROKEE ARTISAN RESOURCES (RTCAR): In March, RTCAR spent the day at Camp Watia YMCA with EBCI elders and artists, harvesting white oak in an effort to connect EBCI artisans to resources needed for traditional artisan practices and sharing traditional knowledge. Recently, we also launched the RTCAR Artisan Survey. If you are interested in accessing artisan materials, harvesting opportunities, sharing or gaining knowledge of traditional harvesting practices, or learning more about RTCAR and how it can support your work, please complete the latest survey so we can know how to best assist you:

Land & Wellness:

CHEROKEE MOTHER’S GARDEN: Located at the mothertown of Kituwah, CNH's Cherokee Mothers Garden is designed to integrate Native science into every aspect of its design. Currently managed as part of a Blue Cross/Blue Shield grant, the garden contributes to Food Sovereignty initiatives on the Qualla Boundary. Volunteers are welcome every TUESDAY afternoon to work in the garden with CNH Staff and Community members.

EARTH KEEPERS: This group ᎡᎶᎯ ᏗᏂᎦᏘᏱ “Elohi Dinigatiyi” Earth Keepers are traditional Cherokee knowledge keepers supported by The Center for Native Health’s Land & Wellness Program who came together to apply Kituwah science, and the language that protects it, to conserve and preserve the mountains, forests, water, and air and all they contain. They continue to advise the EBCI Natural Resources Department and others on how to best care for Cherokee people and lands.

Relational Health:

DOULA TRAINING PROGRAM: Since the foundation and funding of this program, we are pleased to announce that we have supported doula training certification and professional development for 18 Native women on the Qualla Boundary and those doulas have delivered 18 babies!

MOTHERS GATHERINGS: These gatherings, for expectant and new moms, develop support networks and community around the revitalization and implementation of traditional Cherokee motherhood practices. The group has been meeting monthly: In January, mothers discussed the importance of socialization in infants. February focused on motherhood and mental health; March covered infant massage. In April the group covered breast feeding, literacy, lullabies, and children’s books in the Cherokee language. In May, mothers learned about the benefits of bullnettle teething necklaces. After learning about its traditional uses, the mothers created bull nettle necklaces for their babies and spent the evening together sharing conversation, connection, and a meal.

In recent months, we launched the Breastfeeding Support Survey to make sure we are offering needed supports for breastfeeding and lactation in our community. If you need support, please complete the survey so we can know how to best assist you:

Weaving Intergenerational Pathways:

EQUITABLE WATER MONITORING PROGRAM: Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this pilot project promotes equitable water and land stewardship on the Qualla Boundary by centering Traditional Indigenous Knowledge Systems (TKS), including Cherokee Ecological Knowledge (CEK). In collaboration with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) community and key landholders, project participants have been using traditional knowledge in policy advocacy and stewardship practices. By braiding Indigenous knowledge with modern environmental science, the project is working to model a sustainable, equitable land and water management approach, that can guide other communities in the future.

KUWOHI CONNECTION DAYS: ᎫᏬᎯ Kuwohi (known as Clingman’s Dome until 2024) is the “mulberry place”, and The Center for Native Health hosted the first Kuwohi Connection Days in 2025 for fifth graders from surrounding schools, including Cherokee Central Schools, New Kituwah Academy, and Smoky Mountain Elementary. A highlight of the event was the Sunrise Celebration on September 16th, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the mountain’s original Cherokee name restoration. We are working towards hosting this event annually.

MEDICAL CAREERS AND TECHNOLOGY PATHWAYS (MedCaT): This summer represents the final MedCaT Summer Academy, with students engaging in a structured pathway for Appalachian Rural and American Indian (AI) high school students, utilizing multiple resources that support the pursuit of health and biomedical science careers from June 21st-27th. MedCaT has been educating and mentoring students in medical careers for since before the foundation of The Center for Native Health, and has been running the Summer Academy for over 15 years. We endeavor to continue to serve our community, and its young people, with alternative career preparation and pathways in the future.

YOUTH CONSERVATION INITIATIVE - JUDACULLA’S KIDS CLUB: The children’s conservation club has been meeting monthly. January’s theme was Conservation and Art, in preparation for a visit to the NC Arboretum to explore Thomas Dambo’s remarkable troll sculptures. February’s theme was Integrating Science into Culture, where students learned about the cultural importance of river cane, sustainable harvesting, and its role in restoration and stream-bank stabilization. In March, the Club helped shape our Mother’s Garden in the form of a woman, and learned about gardening, observation, reciprocity, and caring for the environment. In early April, the Kids learned about how insects help determine water quality and why clean water is important for cultural practices. They collected samples in the river, used microscopes to identify species, and ended the day with lunch and reflection by the water. In late April, the Kids visited Devil’s Courthouse, where, according to Cherokee stories, Judaculla once danced and held court. Students hiked to the summit, took in the views, and spent time learning about the story and its teachings. In May, Judaculla’s Kids Conservation Club concluded its program year with a final field trip to Judaculla Rock. Dr. Tom Belt, an Earth Keeper, spoke with students about the importance of place and carrying Cherokee stories forward through action and responsibility. Students reflected on caring for the land, water, plants, and animals in the spirit of Judaculla.

YOUTH CONSERVATION INITIATIVE - CHEROKEE CENTRAL YOUTH CONSERVATION CLUB (CCYC): We have been collaborating with this club for older students in the community. In January, students learned about pollinators and demonstrated stewardship by planting pollinator seeds. works toward creating a pollinator garden on campus as a lasting way to steward their land. In March, the meeting focused on planting and cultural activities, including Cherokee gardening customs and traditions, the Groundhog Dance, and hands-on experience building raised garden beds, transplanting pollinator plants, and sochan. In April, students took part in a special field trip to sustainably harvest ramps. For many, it was their first time, making the experience especially meaningful. Students learned to harvest responsibly by taking only what is needed and leaving roots intact to support future growth. In May, they learned how insects help determine water quality, the effects of pollution, and why clean water is important for cultural practices.

Other Projects:

ELDER ALLIES: In December, Dogwood Health Trust funded our partnership with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to care for home-bound elders, delivering microwaveable meals and a couple of Christmas gifts. This evolved into a 2-year project will also provide meals on other tribal holidays throughout the year, an “Adopt an Elder” program, and in-home fall risk assessments. Volunteers for this program began meeting in April, if you were unable to attend but are interested in getting involved, please reach out to Elizabeth Fyvolent at (828) 307-3624. We are in need of more volunteers to help meet the needs of our home-bound elders.

MOMS CLEAN AIR FORCE: In January, WIP Program Director Katie Tiger worked with the Native Electric Project, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is on track to become the first Tribal Nation with an all-electric school bus fleet.

NATIVE NONPROFIT DAY: In May, we took part in Give Native’s Native Non-Profit Day to raise awareness of Native Nonprofits, build community with those organizers, to support Indigenous-led work and community care, and to fundraise for upcoming work. Sgi to everyone who supported us - we raised $600 which will support our work in the community this year!

RALLY FOR RECOVERY: We were honored to support this year’s recovery celebration on July 10th! This event brings the community together to uplift and support those affected by substance use and to remind us that recovery is possible. As they remind us, “It takes all of us to heal one of us.”

QBMMIW: In May, we continued our support for this grassroots organization by sponsoring the 7th Annual Annual Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relative Walk & Vigil at Oconaluftee Island Park in Cherokee.

Help Support Our Work:

follow us on social media!