November is Native American Heritage Month. The Ingham County Health Department is excited to celebrate the culture, traditions, and stories of the Native American people in the community through the Native American Outreach Program.
Program staff conduct presentations, training, and dialogues within the community to foster effective collaboration and cultural competency with the Urban American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations population.
Carly Swamp, a Community Health Worker leading the Native American Outreach program, spoke about what her work means to both her and the community at large. Swamp is a federally recognized member of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in upstate New York and Canada, and is Six Nations. She has lived in Michigan her entire life and has always been involved with the Native community through camps offered through her home school district.
While supporting maternal health is foundational to Swamp’s work, she shared that this work allows her to connect the Native community members to each other through culture, resources, relationships, and support. She notes that while the Native population in the area is small (around .8% of Ingham County residents), it is important to ensure this group remains connected to their culture, resources, and support.
“If I can make a difference in one family’s life or help someone feel more connected to their community, I know I am doing something meaningful,” said Swamp.
She also expressed gratitude to ICHD and her team for allowing her to bring her lived experience, cultural connections, and passions into her everyday work.
“As we recognize Native American Heritage Month, I am proud to be part of an effort that helps ensure our Native families are seen, supported, and reminded that we are still here,” said Swamp.
If you are a Native American or Alaska Native resident of Ingham County who needs support finding medical insurance, applying for community programs, navigating parenthood, or connecting to culturally relevant resources and events, you can contact our Maternal Child Health Team at (517) 887-4322 or by emailing lchambers@ingham.org.
Program staff conduct presentations, training, and dialogues within the community to foster effective collaboration and cultural competency with the Urban American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations population.
Carly Swamp, a Community Health Worker leading the Native American Outreach program, spoke about what her work means to both her and the community at large. Swamp is a federally recognized member of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in upstate New York and Canada, and is Six Nations. She has lived in Michigan her entire life and has always been involved with the Native community through camps offered through her home school district.
While supporting maternal health is foundational to Swamp’s work, she shared that this work allows her to connect the Native community members to each other through culture, resources, relationships, and support. She notes that while the Native population in the area is small (around .8% of Ingham County residents), it is important to ensure this group remains connected to their culture, resources, and support.
“If I can make a difference in one family’s life or help someone feel more connected to their community, I know I am doing something meaningful,” said Swamp.
She also expressed gratitude to ICHD and her team for allowing her to bring her lived experience, cultural connections, and passions into her everyday work.
“As we recognize Native American Heritage Month, I am proud to be part of an effort that helps ensure our Native families are seen, supported, and reminded that we are still here,” said Swamp.
If you are a Native American or Alaska Native resident of Ingham County who needs support finding medical insurance, applying for community programs, navigating parenthood, or connecting to culturally relevant resources and events, you can contact our Maternal Child Health Team at (517) 887-4322 or by emailing lchambers@ingham.org.
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