Avera Wokini Scholarship program going strong

Established in 2018, the Avera Wokini Scholarship provides $5,000 annual scholarships to selected students at South Dakota State University who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes and pursuing a degree in the health care field. The scholarship is renewable for up to five years. 

“Ensuring access to education is important to have a diverse and skilled workforce,” said Rachael Sherard, senior vice president of Avera’s rural health programs. “This program aligns with Avera’s mission to make a positive impact on the lives and health of persons and communities. We are honored to collaborate with SDSU on the Wokini scholarship.”

The scholarship program is part of the Wokini Initiative, a collaborative and holistic framework to support Indigenous student success at SDSU. 

“Avera was with us in the very early days of Wokini being the first scholarship partnership aimed to support Indigenous students seeking health science degrees,” Keely Eagleshield, program coordinator, said.  “Avera continues to open doors for deserving students through the Avera Wokini Scholarship, empowering the next generation of Indigenous leaders. We are proud to collaborate with Avera and appreciate its unwavering commitment to our students.”

Students currently awarded the Avera Wokini Scholarship include Arly Spry, Makana Little Sky, Delaney Wilson, Taya Rattling Leaf, Jessica Pfeifer and Aubre Westover. 

Meet the current Avera Wokini Scholars: 
 

Arly Spry
Major: Pharmacy
Hometown: Philip, South Dakota 
Anticipated graduation year: B.S. 2025 and Pharm.D. 2027
Fourth-year Wokini Scholar 

Spry was drawn to pharmacy to be on the front lines of health care and build connections with patients. Through involvement with pharmacy organizations, coursework and an internship at the Avera Heart Hospital, she has goals to work at a community or hospital pharmacy and eventually own an independent pharmacy. 

“Integrating culture and career means a lot to me as there are many opportunities to serve my community no matter what profession I choose,” Spry said. “Being a part of the Avera Wokini program has allowed me to grow in appreciation for health care and how a career in health care can positively impact communities across the state of South Dakota.”

Her favorite class is physiology because she learned about different systems in the body and how they are related to disease treatment. 

Outside of the academics, Spry enjoys attending SDSU athletic events and working out at the Miller Wellness Center. 
 

Makana Little Sky
Major: Pre-nursing
Hometown: Rockyford, South Dakota
Anticipated graduation year: 2028 
First-year Wokini Scholar 

Family in the field and personal experiences led Little Sky to pursue a career in nursing. While he is still deciding between certified registered nurse anesthetist and registered nurse programs, it’s health care and community service driving his time at SDSU.

Though he is still settling into courses at SDSU, learning new ways to study has been beneficial. He’s also appreciative of “getting used to” the independence that comes with attending college.

Little Sky has begun attending American Indian Science and Engineering Society meetings and enjoys working out at the Miller Wellness Center. 

“I think having your heart set in a place of serving your community and the intention and receptivity to learn,” Little Sky said of what it means to him to be an Avera Wokini Scholar. 

Prior to his start at SDSU, Little Sky attended the 7th Gen. Summer Program at Crazy Horse, which allowed him to work his first job. 
 

Delaney Wilson
Major/minors: Pharmaceutical sciences (pre-pharmacy) with a minor in psychology
Hometown: Rapid City, South Dakota
Anticipated graduation year: 2027
Second-year Wokini Scholar 

Wilson knew she wanted to go into health care, and pharmacy combined her interest in working in a lab and having patient interactions. She also enjoys biology and chemistry, two subjects that combine well in pharmacy.

Wilson’s plan is to earn her Pharm.D. from SDSU and work in a hospital setting, potentially in emergency or oncology. 

“Being an Avera Wokini Scholar is immensely important to myself as well as my community,” Wilson said. “It has helped me further my goals as an Indigenous person seeking to further my education. Being an Avera Wokini Scholar has provided me a community on campus, as well as allowed me to promote opportunities for other Indigenous students.”

Wilson serves as the treasurer for American Indian Science and Engineering Society and as the co-chair for the Pre-Pharmacy Committee of the Student Collaboration for the Advancement and Promotion of Pharmacy. 
 

Taya Rattling Leaf
Major/minors: Human biology (pre-med track) with chemistry and Spanish minors
Hometown: Pierre, South Dakota
Anticipated graduation year: 2027
Second-year Wokini Scholar 

Rattling Leaf has dreams of becoming a doctor. It started with a desire to be able to help people, and during her time at SDSU, it evolved into a goal of becoming a pediatrician. 

Her favorite class is Spanish 102 because of the professor and what she has learned so far. With her Spanish minor, she hopes to intern or shadow in Spain this summer. 

“Being a Wokini Scholar means upholding standards of academics, as well as being involved on the campus,” she said. “It also means being able to appreciate the culture of Native Americans who have come before us, as well as aiding future generation of Native Americans in our future careers."

Outside of academics, she is involved on campus with Alpha Xi Delta, State A Thon and the Medical Anatomy and Surgery Club. She also finds herself in supplemental instruction and tutoring sessions when she has time and enjoys classes at the Miller Wellness Center. 
 

Jessica Pfeifer
Major/minors: B.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with a minor in American Indian and Indigenous studies; currently pursuing a Pharm.D.
Hometown: Martin, South Dakota
Anticipated graduation year: May 2025
Sixth-year Wokini Scholar (graduate student)

Getting close to wrapping up her pharmacy education, Pfeifer looks back at what started it all. With a passion for science during high school and a desire to pursue a health care career, she decided on pharmacy as a way to make an impact. 

Anatomy tops the list for her favorite classes at SDSU because of the connection between lab and lecture. Following the course completion, she served as an intern and teaching team member for the anatomy lab. 

Following graduation, Pfeifer hopes to work as a clinical pharmacist for the Indian Health Service. 

“Being an Avera Wokini Scholar means that I am a part of a community,” she said. “The scholarship connected me to the American Indian Student Center and all the students and staff there. It truly felt like my home away from home.”

Aubre Westover
Major/minors: Human biology 
Hometown: Pierre, South Dakota
Anticipated graduation year: 2025
Fourth year Wokini Scholar
 
With dreams of being a dentist, Westover hopes to practice in South Dakota when her education is complete, ideally in an Indigenous community.  

Her favorite class at SDSU is genetics because she finds it scientifically interesting that everyone is genetically unique.

Westover has had the opportunity to travel to both the 2023 and 2024 American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conferences. She’s proud SDSU was able to win awards at both conferences. 

On campus, Westover is involved in the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, where she has held leadership roles, and the First Nations group. 

“Being an Avera Wokini Scholar is a lot more than a scholarship opportunity,” Westover said. “I have found a home away from home here in Brookings thanks to my fellow Wokini scholars and amazing staff.”