Cherokee, NC – The Tribal In-Home Care Services team recently took part in a ribbon skirt workshop designed to enrich engagement with Cherokee culture and tradition. The experience offered an opportunity to further strengthen the program’s commitment to providing culturally respectful and compassionate care to the Cherokee community.
“Directly engaging with traditions that are important to our population helps promote patient-centered care and highlights our dedication to those we are privileged to serve,” said Gretchen McNab, Tribal In-Home Care Services Manager.
This hands-on cultural experience provided the Tribal In-Home Care Team an opportunity to learn more about the significance ribbons skirts play in Native American culture. The workshop highlighted the importance of cultural awareness in healthcare and how to integrate cultural knowledge into the care services provided by the team. Overall, the experience was a group effort with multiple participants coming together to make this project happen.
The Tribal-In Home Care team extends its sincere appreciation to Jennifer Oskins with the PHHS Cultural Toolbox Initiative for sponsoring this event and providing the materials. The team also expresses heartfelt gratitude to Zena Rattler, Crystal Ellington, Sugie Lambert, and Kari Beth Holloway for sharing their knowledge and serving as instructors.
Additional thanks are extended to Chelsea Hemphill, Amy Postoak, John Postoak, Amber Ledford, Lucian Davis, and Alexis Smith for their assistance and support during the workshop. The program also recognizes the contributions of several community partners whose support helped make it possible, including the Snowbird Community Library for providing instructors, the EBCI Cooperative Extension Center for providing machines, and the Qualla Boundary Library for hosting the event in its Makers’ Space.
Through these types of initiatives, the Tribal In-Home Care Services team continue to foster traditional teachings and a stronger understanding of the Cherokee culture.
The mission of EBCI Public Health & Human Services is “HONORING our Cherokee community by PROVIDING excellent care, PROMOTING health, and SERVING in a culturally respectful way.” Visit our website at https://phhs.ebci-nsn.gov, and follow EBCI PHHS on Facebook (EBCI Public Health & Human Services Division), Instagram (@ebciphhs), and X (@ebciphhs).
