Honoring Native American Heritage Month: Timmi Bishop

Native American Heritage Month, celebrated each November, is a time to honor the many cultures, traditions, histories, and contributions of Native American peoples. It recognizes the resilience and profound influence of Native Americans in shaping the history and future of the United States. At Compass Group, it’s an opportunity to celebrate our associates, foster understanding and respect for their unique traditions and recognize how those traditions are reflected in the work we do.

Meet Timmi Bishop, a Nutrition Care Manager with Unidine for three-and-a-half years, who shares her passion for food in meaningful ways, especially by helping to nourish those in her care.

“My ancestors were on the Trail of Tears and settled in Indian Territory, known today as Oklahoma. I am a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation, the largest tribe in the U.S. There are seven clans among the Cherokee. I’m told mine is the Aniwaya (wolf), the largest of all.  The wolf is a protector, and the clan is primarily known for its warriors and medicine people.

“I love when my mother talks about picking wild onions with my grandmother. Harvesting wild onions is a communal activity passed down through families as a way to celebrate our culture. Wild onions represent a connection to the earth and the balance between nature and health.

“I treasure this photo of my family. The small child standing on a block in the middle is my grandmother Martha Fogg, the man holding her hand is my great-grandpa Nelson Fogg, and the woman to her right with her hands clasped together is my great-grandmother Lizzie Liver Fogg Springwater.

“What makes the picture especially precious is that it was taken shortly before her great-grandpa Nelson was killed. He had taken his team of horses to town to buy supplies. On his way home, he was robbed and shot three times. Three days later he died.

“Another valued possession is this Cherokee Nation enrollment card. My great-grandmother Lizzie Liver is listed on the fifth line. She was nine years old at the time. Enrollment cards were a product of U.S. government policies during the late-19th and early-20th centuries aimed at redistribution of Native American land. The cards play an important role in determining tribal citizenship heritage recognition today in the Cherokee Nation and other tribes.

“The elders in my family believe I am a dietitian as the result of one of my ancestors being a medicine woman. Now whether that is true or not, I have no idea, but it makes for a good story! 

“I work primarily in skilled rehab and see firsthand how impactful nutrition is during recovery. Contributing to someone achieving their goals through proper nourishment is the best part of my job.

“Professionally, I am more aware of health disparities among minorities. For example, on average, Native Americans die 12 to 13 years earlier than white Americans. More so, I am aware of how multifaceted the issues influencing the disparities can be.

“It’s okay to discover yourself and adopt traditions later in life. Even if you didn’t grow up in the culture, it is still your history and a part of you. My parents divorced early in my life and so I did not grow up in or as close to the culture as I would have liked. Most of my knowledge has come starting in my teenage years. I am extremely prideful of my heritage. My people have gone through so much but remain so strong.”