Buder Scholarship Transforms Native Communities Through Education and Leadership

The Buder Foundation Scholarship continues to support Native communities through education and leadership. Since its creation, the programme has helped 149 students earn Master of Social Work degrees. Its mission remains rooted in giving back to Tribal and urban communities across the US. Kathryn M. Buder established the Buder Center for American Indian Studies in 1990. The centre, now led by Director Pamela L. Begay, integrates communal and cultural practices into its social work curriculum. This approach prepares scholars to serve Native populations effectively both on and off Tribal lands.

Many graduates have gone on to make significant contributions. Dr. Sarah Kastelic, a 1997 scholar, now serves as Executive Director of the National Indian Child Welfare Association. Tescha Hawley, who completed the programme in 2007, founded the Day Eagle Hope Project on the Fort Belknap reservation. More recently, Deezhi Thin, a current scholar, presented research on historical and intergenerational trauma at the Institute of American Indian Arts.

Buder scholars have pursued diverse careers as clinical practitioners, mental health advocates, and leaders in social work. All remain committed to working with Native people and organisations, embodying the scholarship’s core values. The scholarship’s impact is clear in the achievements of its graduates. They have earned advanced degrees and taken on roles that directly benefit their communities. The Buder Foundation’s legacy endures through their ongoing work in social services and advocacy.