Ernestine Walkingstick

Ernestine Sharon Walkingstick (11 May 1937- 11 July 1999) was an Eastern Band Cherokee nurse and community leader, who established the first clinic for the Native American population in the town of Robbinsville, North Carolina, and was instrumental in founding the region's first domestic violence shelter.

Life Ernestine Sharon Walkingstick was born 11 May 1937 in Charleston Township in Swain County, North Carolina in the Qualla Boundary, the daughter of William and Mary Walkingstick. Returning to North Carolina, she became the director of community health nursing for the EBCI reservation, and established the first clinic for the Native American population in Robbinsville, N.C. She was part of the Health Advisory Committee for the Head Start program, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Tribal Health Board, a board member of the Tribal Grand Council Committee, and president of the Native American Indian Women's Association. Part of its original task force, she served on its board of directors for five years.