Eve’s Fund president, Barbara Crowell Roy, with students wearing their new sports helmets at Zuni (Shiwi Tsana) Elementary School in Zuni, New Mexico.
Addressing the Injury Crisis
Public health leaders increasingly recognize injury prevention for Native American youth as a growing priority. Specifically, in rural Native American communities, data show a motor vehicle crash death rate more than three times the national average. In addition, sports injuries, violence, and other unintentional trauma often cause brain and spinal cord injuries. In response, tribal communities are addressing these serious risks through culturally adapted injury prevention education for Native youth.
ThinkFirst Navajo Launches Injury Prevention Program
In 2005, Eve’s Fund for Native American Health Initiatives launched ThinkFirst Navajo to address alarming injury trends among Native youth. As part of a national effort, ThinkFirst Navajo became an official chapter of the ThinkFirst Injury Prevention Foundation. Since its launch, the program has delivered life-saving injury prevention education to more than 72,000 Navajo children and teens. Moreover, health educators have presented the program to youth across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, aiming to reduce lifelong disabilities and prevent fatalities.
ThinkFirst Navajo Delivers Injury Prevention Program at Zuni (Shiwi Tsana) Elementary
Just a few days before the closing of the school year, one of the ThinkFirst Injury Prevention teams presented two injury prevention programs. These included ThinkFirst for Kids (Pre-K–3) and ThinkFirst for Youth (grades 4–5)—to students at Shiwi Tsana Elementary School in Zuni, New Mexico. The goal of both programs was to help prevent injuries among Native youth. In total, 412 students participated in the educational sessions.
Student Engagement: Curiosity and Connection in Action
Throughout the program, students asked thoughtful questions like, “What happens if a vertebra gets damaged?” “How do helmets protect our brain?” The children’s questions and interest showed the material resonated with them.
The children enthusiastically gathered around the realistic skull, brain, vertebrae, and spinal cord models. They traced the vertebrae with their fingers, and remarked, “I never knew the spine did so much!” Such genuine interaction demonstrated a sincere desire to learn and understand how to prevent injuries.
Program Tailors Curriculum to Native Cultures
Eve’s Fund partnered with VIP speaker Cecelia Fred and school leaders to adapt the national ThinkFirst curriculum to the community’s lived experiences, values, and realities. This was done to ensure greater impact and cultural relevance.
Cecelia, who was paralyzed at age eight, the victim of a gunshot wound, shared her powerful personal story during school presentations. Her powerful message was this: “Most brain and spinal cord injuries can be prevented if you Think First.” The students reactions were visible!
ThinkFirst school sessions are enhanced with culturally relevant, hands-on activities, such as proper helmet fittings and real-life safety demonstrations, helping students connect emotionally and practically with the importance of injury prevention in their everyday lives.
Engaging Young Students in Lifesaving Lessons on Safety and Injury Prevention
The ThinkFirst for Kids program engaged Pre-K through 3rd-grade students through the animated video “Street Smart” and interactive lessons covering brain and spine anatomy, vehicle and bus safety, pedestrian safety, water and playground safety, and violence prevention. The goal was to encourage young students to “Think First” to avoid preventable injuries.
Additionally, for grades 4–5, the ThinkFirst for Youth segment provided a deeper understanding of injury prevention using realistic brain and spinal cord models. Presenters addressed safety related to vehicles, biking, walking, water, and sports. VIP speaker Cecelia Fred shared impactful personal stories to help students connect everyday choices with long-term consequences, especially among Native youth.
Students Given Helmets to Prevent Injuries
A key highlight of the program was the distribution of properly fitted sports helmets to every student, thanks to the generous support of the New Mexico Brain Injury Advisory Council (NMBIAC) . This initiative a major part of the New Mexico Governor’s Commission on Disability. The council’s mission is to promote prevention, stimulate public awareness, and decrease the incidence of preventable brain injuries.
We are especially grateful to Angelia Velarde‑Logsdon, the advisory council’s program coordinator, for organizing and actively participating in this school-wide, day-long event. Barbara Crowell Roy, President of Eve’s Fund, personally assisted with helmet fittings. Also, she led engaging conversations around anatomical models, encouraging a dynamic and interactive learning environment that reinforced the importance of brain and body safety.
Call to Action: Bring ThinkFirst to Your School
Injury prevention for Native youth starts with early, effective safety education.
The ThinkFirst injury prevention program uses storytelling, hands-on activities, and proven lessons to teach real-world safety and prevent serious injuries.
Schools and community groups in rural Native American communities are encouraged to schedule a ThinkFirst presentation via the Eve’s Fund Contact Us page. Let’s work together to reduce injuries and empower youth to make safe, smart choices every day of their lives.
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