Dr. Jody E. Noé MS ND (Cherokee/Sualey/Tuscarora), obtained her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington,1995. Previous to this, she was awarded her Bachelor’s and Masters of Science degrees from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia (1989,1991). Dr. Noé served as full time and then adjunct faculty to the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine, as well as adjunct to Quinnipiac University, Connecticut College of Naturopathic Physicians, Bastyr University, the New England Women’s Herbal Conference, Southeast Wise Women’s Herbal Conference, Midwest women’s Herbal Conference, Mid-Atlantic Women’s Herbal Conference, the International Herbal Symposiums and many more programs around the world. Dr. Noé also works to support Herbal schools and programs as a faculty and guest teacher such as; Farmacy Herbs, Arborvitae, Misty Meadows, The Florida School for Holistic Living, Sage Mountain, Boston School of Herbal Medicines, Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NIAOM) and several community colleges and private organizations, seminar and lecture series. Dr. Noé is passionate about teaching as a vital way to pass down the knowledge of natural medicine to future generations of practitioners.
Traditional Medicine. Ka no he lv hi “The Old Ways”
Dr. Noé practices traditional medicine as taught by her Cherokee elders. This is a practice that encompasses mind, body, and spirit. She was accepted as an official apprentice in 1987 and started with him in 1986, by Crosslin F. Smith, high medicine priest of the Keetoowah of the western band of Cherokees in Tahlequah, OK. She has been with the Smith’s since this time that has spanned over 4 decades, and continues to practice and study under Crosslin up to this date.
Prior to this she was taught by the elders of the eastern Cherokees, Goingback and Mary U. Chiltoskey, “Mama” Geneva Jackson, and incidentally with Amy Walker, all residing on the Qualla Boundary on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians reserve. Dr. Noé continues to study with her elders and practices traditional ways with patients when appropriate.
The traditional medicine way uses plants, earth, air, water, and fire (heat) along with rituals and prayers to invoke Spirit and Healing. The Keetoowah are traditionalists and practice ancient rituals such as the sacred “Stomp Dance” to this day. In traditional medicine many aspects of healing are addressed with the focus on the Spirit of each modality affecting the Spirit of the patient to conjoin with the Great Spirit of the universe. Each modality is looked upon as an independent people, for example the traditional Native American names acknowledge ‘plant people’, ‘rock people’, etc. This traditional way honors not only the medicine that is used to affect the physical being of people, but the Spirit that is in each and every living thing, that affects us all concurrently.
