Indian Country is facing a pressing need for more healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. This issue isn’t new, and Washington State University (WSU) has been working to inspire Native American students for years. Now, they’re taking a fresh approach by reaching out to younger kids.
The Little Birds program was created at the request of the Tribal Advisory Board. Jerry Crowshoe, the director of Native American Health Sciences at WSU, shared their insight: “Starting in high school is too late; kids’ worldviews are already shaped by then.” Research shows that during the first 12 years of life, children’s minds are incredibly receptive, forming ideas about their futures.
Currently, Little Birds takes place in five elementary schools in Spokane and one in Hunters, Washington. The program runs monthly after school, with WSU students from various health disciplines stepping in to engage the kids.
Consistency is key, as emphasized by the Elders. WSU students create fun activities aligned with their health specialties. For instance, pharmacy students have the kids mix “medications” using whipped cream and food coloring. Nutrition students lead energetic games that teach about food groups through movement, like the frog-hop relays.
Hannah Tomeo Maguire, the K–12 coordinator at WSU’s Center for Native American Health, designed Little Birds inspired by teddy-bear clinics, which help kids overcome their fear of doctors. She, along with Crowshoe, believes Little Birds is unique in its approach.
The name “Little Birds” comes from Crowshoe’s Piikani Nation heritage, representing youth groups within the Tribe. The program is financially supported by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the Squaxin Island Tribe, who have shown interest in expanding it to other areas with cultural elements like Native language and traditional plant medicine.
At the end of each Little Birds session, the children celebrate by nominating each other as excellent teammates. They receive small rewards like sports balls or water bottles, along with a T-shirt, and take pride in their white medical coats as they prepare for their future. The program culminates in a graduation ceremony dubbed “Little Bird Medical School,” complete with a traditional blanket ceremony.
Experts agree that initiatives like this have long-lasting impacts. Attending a program like Little Birds can shape kids’ attitudes towards healthcare, making them feel more at ease with health professionals throughout their lives. Crowshoe believes that if children enjoy learning about health sciences early on, they may carry that enthusiasm into their teenage years. This initiative not only benefits the kids but also offers valuable experience for WSU students working with Indigenous communities.
The importance of early intervention in education is backed by studies showing that programs designed to engage younger students can lead to increased academic interest and better health outcomes. Little Birds does just that. It not only opens pathways to careers in health but also serves as a crucial resource for schools that may lack funding and support.
