Maternal & Child Health

Matrilineal Care

Kristina Hyatt: a woman with dark hair, high bright cheekbones, and a large smile, standing outdoors in golden sunlight

Program Officer
Kristina Hyatt
ᏣᎳᎩᏱ ᏕᏣᏓᏂᎸᎩ, EBCI

“Maternal and child health are key indicators for the health of the community. The Center for Native Health’s Maternal & Child Health Program’s efforts to mobilize, organize and build supports to benefit Cherokee mothers, families and children will help strengthen the health of the EBCI community.”
— Kristina Hyatt, Program Officer
  • a doula delicately holds the tiny hand of a newborn infant while the baby is swaddled in soft pastel blankets

    Doula Training Program

    The Center for native Health’s Maternal & Child Health Program Area is currently working to add maternal health to Rooted in the Mountains in order to create a doula training program & a living database of area and regional birth-workers who uphold traditional birth practices. Updates on this project wil be forthcoming

  • Homework Club

    We are working with our local and regional partners to establish afterschool homework clubs in order to support and benefit students and families. We will keep the community informed as this project grows

  • Mothers' Gatherings

    The Center for Native Health’s Maternal & Child Health Program Area have begun hosting gatherings for mothers and their children, with activities and discussions intended to create support networks and community around the traditional practices, victories, and challenges of EBCI and Cherokee motherhood

  • woman wearing dark sunglasses, red cherokee ribbon skirt, and a tee shirt that reads "say her name" or "du-do hni-wi" in relation to a missing and murdered indigenous women and relatives vigil that took place in May of 2024

    Qualla Boundary MMIW / MMIR.

    The Center for Native Health’s Maternal & Child Health Program Area recently supported Qualla Boundary MMIR, formerly MMIW, in their 5th Annual March. Qually Boundary MMIR is a grassroots organization created by EBCI citizens who volunteer their time to bring awareness, education, traditional healing practices, protection, honor and remembrance to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

    For more information, contact Committee Co-Chairs Elvia Walkingstick and Atsei Cooper:

    Learn More

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Upcoming events.

Check back with this public calendar for updates and events from the Center for Native Health’s Maternal & Child Health Program Area.