The Origin of Disease and Medicine

In honor and respect for our recent National Nurses Week and Teacher Appreciation Week, please enjoy this traditional story. Stories and storytellers have always been foundational teachers for us.

This story teaches us an important lesson for health and being in community: do not take more than you need, cooperate and support each other, and every plant has a purpose and medicine to share with us.

Below are the translations for some of our important community helpers.

• ᎠᎦᎾᎦᏘ ᎠᏍᏕᎵᏍᎩ aganagati asdelisgi = nurse (doctor’s helper)

  • Alternative and what I think encompasses the role better: ᏧᏂᏢᎩ ᏗᎦᏘᏯ tsunitlvgi digatiya = nurse (who watches)

• ᏗᏕᏲᎲᏍᎩ dideyohvsgi = teacher

— Sabrina McKinney

Proud Cherokee Nation citizen, Registered Nurse, and sister/daughter to teachers