Noel Frazier

It was my aunt who at the time was a librarian at Long Island University who contacted me and told me about the Buder scholarship and opportunity. My first reaction was, “Social Worker? Really?” Given that my undergraduate degree was in criminal justice and I was training and a current applicant for NYPD, I didn’t have much interest. My aunt still
sent me the information and after deliberating about it, I completed the application.
To this day, I thank my aunt for her persistence and encouragement to apply. Everything I do as a high school social worker and behavioral health consultant relates to the vision of the Buder Center. I work closely with American Indian students on my campus as a co-advisor and overall support for the Native youth council and their families. The behavioral health consulting that I have done has been throughout Indian Country. Recently, my wife and I traveled to Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to assist in the schools and community in dealing with the suicide epidemic that has been an ongoing issue. Prior to that, we have done work with Gila River Indian community within the school system pertaining to behavioral modification and best practices. I also worked on the Gila River reservation for three years as a counselor and regional services director through a behavioral health agency. Without my MSW degree, I would not have had these opportunities.

The overall vision of the Buder Center is to provide ongoing services and support to American Indian people and communities. I believe that I am doing just that on a regular basis. It is important for Indigenous people to pursue higher education specifically in the behavioral health field because there is still a need for American Indian practitioners in the field who can relate and provide support to Indigenous communities from a holistic perspective. Incorporating culture, family and community is a huge component as a social worker serving Native people. My wife and family have been my greatest supporters throughout my MSW journey and even now into my doctoral journey. The social, emotional and financial support that my family has provided has been invaluable. At my Buder blessing, I was grateful to have my parents, aunts, cousins, grandmother and my future wife there supporting me, all who traveled great distances to be there. It was a proud and overwhelming moment for me. As a Buder Scholar, I was able to foster lifelong relationships with other Buder Scholars, and we continue to remain close. We also work closely together on projects and trainings to provide supportive services
in Indigenous communities. Recently, with the support of Dr. Tovar, several other alumni and I created the Buder Intertribal Advisory Team. This initiative speaks volumes about the positive mission, vision and direction of the Kathryn M. Buder Center.