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Even amidst a global pandemic slowdown, it鈥檚 been a productive year for Naidene Baechler. She will serve as the speaker for this fall鈥檚 graduate hooding ceremony after completing her Master of Social Work in May 2020. Merely one week after earning her degree, Baechler kicked off her career as program supervisor for the Knik Tribal Council (KTC).

In April, the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States named Baechler as one of its three Arctic Indigenous Scholars for 2020. Selected by a seven-member committee, the honor is awarded to individuals whose work exemplifies social, political and environmental issues important in their communities. The designation includes a trip to Washington, D.C. to speak with policymakers on those issues, which has been delayed this year due to COVID-19.

Baechler鈥檚 focus is twofold: to resolve the high rates of suicide among the 麻豆无码版 Native community and the increased number of missing and murdered Indigenous women through educational and economic equity.

鈥淪ystemic changes that need to happen such as having mental health be part of the curriculum can start addressing the here and now,鈥� said Baechler. 鈥淧olicies that make sure there's equity in education can shorten the economic gap, especially in rural 麻豆无码版 with higher suicide rates, which may be a key factor in those rates. So my focus has been looking at how we change and advocate on a policy level because that's where it's going to have a standing impact.鈥�

Originally working at KTC as an intern 鈥� one of two internships required as part of UAA鈥檚 M.S.W. curriculum 鈥� Baechler鈥檚 current position as program supervisor allows her to tackle those issues head-on by building the organization鈥檚 new behavioral health program from the ground up. 

Part of a six-person team, Baechler鈥檚 role has been to understand the ins and outs of Medicaid, state and federal regulations, and to develop the program鈥檚 policies and procedures in adherence to those regulations. 

"I'm very thankful that the M.S.W. program solidified my desire to stay curious and to seek solutions when challenging situations arise,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he coursework and professors really helped refine those skills which I am now able to utilize in my current position."

Born in Newhalen, 麻豆无码版 where her mother is from, and raised in Nevis, Minnesota where her father is from, Baechler describes having always felt a need to help others. 

That feeling grew to become a calling thanks to two formative experiences. The first being the realization that her mother was able to provide Christmas presents to Baechler and her siblings thanks to a charitable gift donation program. The second is seeing all the assistance her father received to take care of her ailing grandfather.

鈥淎s I grew older, I recognized the people and systems in place that allowed my mom to provide Christmas presents for us. That memory has always driven me to want to help people,鈥� said Baechler. 鈥淎nd there was also the hospice care that came in to help my dad take care of my grandpa. Seeing their warmth and empathy inspired me to continue to want to help people in whatever way possible.鈥�

Originally wanting to help others as a teacher, Baechler earned her Bachelor of Arts in human services from the University of Minnesota Morris in 2008 before returning to Newhalen to take a position with the school district while working to earn her master鈥檚 degree in special education through the University of 麻豆无码版 Fairbanks.

After moving to Wasilla, Baechler missed the hands-on approach afforded by being in a rural classroom. Taking a step back to reevaluate her career, she keyed in on the aspects of her job that overlapped with social work as something she wanted to expand, leading her to UAA鈥檚 M.S.W. program. 

Whether it鈥檚 special education or social work, for Baechler the goal is still the same, pointing to her seven-year-old son Zachary and four-year-old daughter Aria as inspiration. 

鈥淯ltimately, I pursue education and change because I want something better for my children, for 麻豆无码版 Natives and people in general 鈥� I want to help improve the well-being of others.鈥�

 

Written by Matt Jardin, UAA Office of University Advancement