Category: Stories

  • Mat-Su Health Foundation Announces Esther Pitts as President and Chief Executive Officer

    Mat-Su Health Foundation Announces Esther Pitts as President and Chief Executive Officer

    Wasilla, Alaska—Following a rigorous nationwide recruitment effort, Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has selected Esther Pitts to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Pitts is a long-time Alaskan, Mat-Su resident, and currently serves as the Chief Community Impact Officer (CCIO) at MSHF. She will succeed retiring CEO Elizabeth Ripley and formally step into the role on May 1, 2025.

    Ripley announced last year that she would retire to spend more time with family, travel, and explore other community opportunities. In anticipation, MSHF Board of Directors (Board) engaged with The Foraker Group to lead a thoughtful and thorough selection process. The search spanned the nation, garnering interest from over 75 applicants. Through a series of complex and intensive interviews, the Board narrowed the field, and Pitts emerged as a unanimous choice.

    “Throughout the interview process, Esther consistently demonstrated the community-centered values that are at the heart of our organization,” said MSHF Board Chair Lisa Wade. “We had the privilege of reviewing many highly qualified candidates from across the nation, but at every key moment, Esther stood out—not only for her impressive healthcare experience but also for her authenticity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to advancing the MSHF mission. She truly embodies our organization’s values, and we are excited to see her lead and thrive as our next President and CEO.”

    Pitts is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in healthcare, nonprofit governance, government contracting, and small business management. Having lived in Alaska since 1991 and in Wasilla since 2015, she has a deep personal connection to the community and a strong commitment to improving the health and well-being of its residents. With a proven background in building strategic partnerships, leading cross-functional teams, and managing complex community projects, Pitts has played a key role in driving positive health outcomes in the state.

    “Our team at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center (MSRMC) is excited to welcome Esther as she steps into her new role as President and CEO,” said MSRMC Interim CEO James Bunch. “Her extensive background in healthcare and unwavering dedication to Alaska and its communities make her the perfect choice for this role. We are confident in her vision and look forward to working together to make Mat-Su the healthiest borough in the state.”

    Pitts holds a master’s in business administration with a focus on healthcare leadership and a bachelor’s in business administration, both from Capella University. She is a Certified Professional Healthcare Risk Manager (CPHRM) and holds certifications in human resource management. She also supports her community through board service with Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API), All Alaska Pediatric Partnership (A2P2), Best Beginnings, and Mat-Su College Advisory Council.

    “I am deeply honored to accept this role and lead an organization that continues to make a lasting impact in the Mat-Su,” said Pitts. “This community is my home, and it is a dream realized to lead an organization so vital to the health and well-being of our residents. I am humbled by the opportunity to collaborate with our community and partners, working together to build a healthier, brighter future for all who call the Mat-Su home.”

  • Lake Louise Snowmachine Club: Good Times on Groomed Trails

    Lake Louise Snowmachine Club: Good Times on Groomed Trails

    Nothing beats the beauty of Lake Louise.

    The Lake Louise area, with its cabins and trails, is a year-round haven for outdoor enthusiasts, longtime residents, and seasonal visitors to the area. Preserving and expanding safe trail access to this area is not only good for the local economy but also for the health of the thousands of Mat-Su residents who frequent Lake Louise for skiing, hiking, fat tire biking, fishing, and other activities. This becomes especially important during winter months when we’re all tempted to spend more of our time indoors to fend off cabin fever. In addition to recreational use, the trails in the area are also popular among mushers, utilizing the trails to train their dogs for fun and competition. With a wide variety of uses, keeping the trails maintained and accessible in the Lake Louise and Copper Basin area is just one of the responsibilities assumed by the Lake Louise Snowmachine Club.

    Beyond recreational uses, it’s essential for these trails to be in good order so that in times of medical emergencies, safe and speedy access for medical evacuation can be accomplished.  

    This is where the Lake Louise Snowmachine Club comes in. 

    The club’s number one priority is to mark and maintain a roughly 350-mile multi-use winter trail system in the Lake Louise area, including Tolsona, Eureka, and Tyrone Lake. Specifically, Crosswind Trail, Tolsona Trail, Eureka Trail, Moore Lake Loop, and other side trails are the main focus of the Lake Louise Snowmachine Club. For 30 years, the club relied on two pieces of trail grooming sno-cats, affectionately known as “Tucker” and “Bigfoot,” to ensure these multi-use trails were well-maintained. In 2023, both machines were reaching the end of their lifecycle, and to continue to ensure groomed trails, new equipment was in urgent need.   

    Mat-Su Health Foundation believes that access to safe and reliable trails is important to the health of our borough. 

    When we were approached with the opportunity to support the Lake Louise Snowmachine Club’s Project Wolf Tracks to help purchase a new PistenBully snow groomer, we were delighted to collaborate. The new groomer was integral in ensuring that this important trail system stays maintained well into the future. As a result of MSHF funding and additional fundraising efforts, the club was able to purchase and transport the new groomer to Alaska, taking possession of their groomer in December of 2023.

    “Since getting our PistenBully, we’ve been able to better address the maintenance and conditions of our many trails. Recreators, including snowmachiners, hikers, skiers, bikers and mushers, rely on these well-groomed trails, ensuring that locals and visitors are able to experience all the area has to offer. The new groomer has been an invaluable asset to our club and our community, providing a much safer and faster conduit for emergency personnel to respond to an incident or condition that threatens life or safety. “ -Pete Probasco, President, Lake Louise Snowmachine Club

    We are proud of this partnership, which we believe speaks to one of the reasons Mat-Su is such a special place to live. Thanks to the dedicated work of the Lake Louise Snowmachine Club’s 200+ members/volunteers and a brand new PistenBully, we look forward to seeing residents and visitors alike enjoying all our beautiful home has to offer now and into the future.

    To learn more about the Lake Louise Snowmachine Club, the trail system, and how to become a club member, visit lakelouisesnowmachineclub.com.

  • Mat-Su Health Foundation Welcomes Two New Directors to Strengthen Policy and Public Relations

    Mat-Su Health Foundation Welcomes Two New Directors to Strengthen Policy and Public Relations

    Wasilla, Alaska—The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has hired Senator David Wilson as its new Director of Public Policy. Wilson, who served eight years in the state senate, brings a wealth of experience in public service and policy advocacy.

    Senator David Wilson, Director of Public Policy

    Senator Wilson has a distinguished record of service to the Mat-Su Valley and the State of Alaska. His extensive background in legislative affairs, fiscal responsibility, and his deep understanding of the healthcare landscape will be instrumental in advancing the Foundation’s mission to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Senator Wilson to our team,” said MSHF President and CEO Elizabeth Ripley, “His dedication to public service and his deep understanding of healthcare policy will be instrumental in advancing our goal to measurably improve the health of the Mat-Su population.”

    In his new role, Senator Wilson will lead the Foundation’s public policy efforts, working closely with local, state, and federal stakeholders to advocate for policies that advance health, well-being, and equity.

    “I am honored to join the Mat-Su Health Foundation and contribute to its work,” said Senator Wilson. “I look forward to collaborating with the MSHF’s dedicated staff and our partners to create positive, lasting change in our community.”

    Erin Messmer, Director of Public Relations

    In addition, the MSHF has recently welcomed Erin Messmer as the Director of Public Relations. Messmer is a seasoned communications professional who has developed communications and public relations campaigns at the local, regional, and state levels. She has worked alongside some of the largest Tribal organizations and state agencies to advance public health initiatives that improve the lives of Alaskans.

    “Much of our work is centered around community and our relationships with Mat-Su residents,” said Ripley. “With Erin’s expertise, we look forward to strengthening our connections with the public and our constituents.”

    Senator Wilson and Messmer join the MSHF as the organization expands to better serve the Valley through philanthropy, community engagement, policy and advocacy, and vital systems change.

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    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org.

  • Meet the Connectors at Connect Mat-Su

    Meet the Connectors at Connect Mat-Su

    Connect Mat-Su was established by the Mat-Su Health Foundation in response to the community expressing a need for access to essential services. The Foundation’s Community Health Assessment, a survey of Mat-Su Valley residents about their needs and experiences, found that despite essential services existing in the Valley, people were not able to find the support they needed.

    That’s where Connect Mat-Su comes in: as a conduit between service providers and the people of Mat-Su. It helps residents easily get connected to over 1,752 participating providers, and find services to meet their needs—from healthcare to housing and more.

    The Connect Mat-Su Team (left to right): Ashley Peltier, Tyler Bowman, Brian Tiefenbrun, Lane Gambil, and Cynthia Norvell. Not Pictured: Kailea Cullen

    While the Connect Mat-Su website provides a tool that residents can browse on their own to find services, the Connect team is also on hand to directly help residents find services that are a good fit. The team also supports its large network of providers along the way. It’s a program of and for the people of the Mat-Su Valley, led by passionate community-builders.

    Meet the team that makes Connect Mat-Su a reality!

    While some members of the Connect-Mat-Su team have been around since the program’s earliest days, there’s also been growth in order to best meet community needs. We’re proud of the people who work so diligently to serve the community.

    Ashley Peltier | Connect Mat-Su Director

    Ashley directs program staff, oversees operations, and ensures strategic alignment with the Foundation’s mission. Before joining Mat-Su Health Foundation, Ashley worked at various non-profits in the Mat-Su, including Alaska Family Services, Southcentral Foundation, and the American Lung Association. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys entertaining, cooking, fishing, and golfing.

    Brian Tiefenbrun | Operations Manager 

    Brian leads the operational and technical functions, including managing the community resource database and the Connect Mat-Su website. With 10 years of military service as a Combat Medic and experience in state government and behavioral health, Brian brings a diverse skill set in leadership and project management. He holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology from American Military University and graphic design with a concentration in web development from Southern New Hampshire University. Brian is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of his community through his work and volunteerism. In his free time, he enjoys exploring Alaska’s outdoors with his wife, Amanda, and their three daughters.

    Cynthia Norvell | Information and Referral Coordinator

    Cynthia brings many years of experience working in the nonprofit social service field.  In the Connect Mat-Su team, her primary role is to conduct follow-up with clients with complex or emergent needs. Her role includes ensuring equity and inclusion in all interactions with providers and to advocate for clients’ needs.  She supports the team to ensure that all Connect Mat-Su clients are provided with timely and easy-to-access information and referrals. In Cynthia’s spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, quilting, arts and crafts, scrapbooking, and enjoying the outdoors.

    Lane Gambill | Community Resource Specialist

    As part of the direct service team, Lane supports the community through providing information on local organizations and programs. Lane is a Veteran, having served as a medic in the U.S Army. He is also a Certified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist and has a background in EMS and Fire. In his leisure time he enjoys being outside, mountain biking, hiking, and hunting.

    Tyler Bowman | Projects and Partnerships Coordinator for Connect Mat-Su

    Tyler focuses on building relationships with new and existing partners. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and economics from George Fox University. Prior to joining the Connect Mat-Su team, Tyler was the Technology and Communications Coordinator at Frontline Mission. He worked on implementing technology solutions such as a customer relationship management database system, accounting systems, and fundraising solutions. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, snowboarding, photography, and experiencing new cultures.

    The Foundation is deeply appreciative of what the Connect Mat-Su team continues to do to positively impact our community. With their hard work, our Mat-Su community members are continually able to connect with resources, services, and supports that enhance their lives and well-being.

  • A Staff Update: New Team Members, New Transitions, and an A+ Scholarship Team

    A Staff Update: New Team Members, New Transitions, and an A+ Scholarship Team

    From left to right: Mahlet Herrmann, Kelsey Anderson, and Jessie Burbank.

    New Team Members, New Transitions, and an A+ Scholarship Team

     The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is happy to welcome new team members and celebrate the role transition of two others.

    Mahlet Herrmann is MSHF’s new accounting systems manager. Jessie Burbank has transitioned to a new role as program associate and Kelsey Anderson is now the program executive assistant on the grantmaking team.

    Mahlet Herrmann has joined the MSHF team as the new accounting systems manager. She brings a diverse background of experience, including prior work as a case manager at True North Recovery and four years in the United States Marine Corps where she worked in financial administration. Herrmann has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American Military University.

    Jessie Burbank transitioned to a new role as a program associate on the grantmaking team, where she manages the target wellness grants which fund health and wellbeing projects up to $25,000. She also administers the technical assistance program, connecting Mat-Su organizations with support in areas like accounting, fundraising and capital project planning. For three years, Burbank served as Connect Mat-Su’s community resource specialist and information and referral coordinator. She graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in women’s studies.

    As the new program executive assistant, Kelsey Anderson will assist the chief community impact officer with board support, project management, and system enhancements. Prior to this role, Anderson served two years as a program assistant. She brings previous experience in agriculture and other administrative roles, including at a nonprofit that served children with developmental disabilities.

     

    An A+ Scholarship Team

    Our scholarship program has experienced significant growth over the years; 2024 was no exception. With more than $2.6 million awarded to 436 academic scholarship recipients earlier this year and continuous interest in our vocational scholarships, we now have two staff dedicated to the scholarship program’s year-round success.

    Erin Bendle and Adelina Rodriguez are now leading the scholarship team.

    Adelina Rodriguez is the new scholarship program officer. She has 16 years of experience in higher education and brings an extensive background in student-centered services, strategic program development and management, financial aid expertise, recruitment, and career development. Rodriguez has taught courses at Mat-Su College to support student success. She has a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in curriculum instruction from New Mexico State University.

    Erin Bendle joins MSHF as the new scholarship associate, where she will conduct community outreach and provide vital support to the program. Bendle graduated from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor’s in social work and a minor in drug and alcohol studies. During the early part of her career she worked with young people as an inpatient drug and alcohol counselor and then transitioned into working with adults experiencing chronic mental illness. More recently, she worked in youth and family services at the Wasilla Public Library.

     

  • Mat-Su Crisis Response Team Receives Bert Hall Award for Commitment to Community Health

    Mat-Su Crisis Response Team Receives Bert Hall Award for Commitment to Community Health

    Bert Hall, sitting center, with representatives from the Mat-Su Crisis Response Team and Mat-Su Health Foundation.

    Wasilla, Alaska — Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) announced yesterday that it awarded the Mat-Su Crisis Response Team with the 2024 Bert Hall Award for their work in improving the health of the community.

    The Mat-Su Crisis Response Team developed a program in which behavioral health service providers accompany traditional emergency 911 responders serving people experiencing behavioral health crises. As a result, many emergencies now get a response from these trained service providers who have the expertise to properly intervene, de-escalate situations, and refer people in crisis to services and resources.

    “This co-response model has yielded positive results for both the first responders and service providers,” said Elizabeth Ripley, President of MSHF. “But more importantly, this change in how our system supports community members has delivered better outcomes for individuals who are experiencing perhaps the worst day of their lives—all by getting them connected to services other than jail or the emergency department.”

    This co-response model has been successfully incorporated into the 911 dispatch system at Matcom and Palmer Dispatch. In the last year, this project has made a difference for over 200 individuals experiencing a behavioral health emergency in the Mat-Su Borough.

    The Crisis Response Team has also developed a post-crisis system of several different connector agencies to which first responders can refer clients after successful intervention and de-escalation. These connector agencies help navigate and coordinate care for behavioral health clients as they get moved on to appropriate care within the community, reducing the chance they will have to rely upon 911 in the future to maintain their mental health.

    There has been tremendous growth in the Mat-Su crisis response system in recent years, including the adoption of the national 988 helpline, the 911 mobile crisis co-response, seven different crisis intervention trainings attended by over 150 first responders, and increased training in mental health first aid.

    The members of the Mat-Su Crisis Response team are:

    • Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
    • Alaska State Troopers
    • Alaska Youth and Family Network
    • Actionable Data Consulting
    • Daybreak, Inc.
    • Emergency Medical Services, Mat-Su Borough
    • LINKS Resource Center
    • Matcom 911
    • Palmer Dispatch
    • Palmer Police Department
    • True North Recovery, Inc.
    • Wasilla Police Department

    The work of the Mat-Su Crisis Response Team is supported by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, MSHF, and numerous community and governmental agencies.

    The Bert Hall Award, or “Bertie”, is an annual recognition presented to an individual or organization that consistently exemplifies commitment to working at the systems level to improve the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents. It was created in 2013 in honor of Mat-Su resident Bert Hall. Previous Bert Hall Award recipients include Mark Lackey (2023), John Weaver (2022), the Mat-Su Borough School District Health Advisory Team (2021), Kimberly Schlosser (2020), Lt. Tom Dunn (2019), Rachel Greenberg (2018), Bill Hogan (2017), Herman Thompson (2016), Margaret Volz (2015), Craig Thorn (2014) and Bert Hall himself (2013).

     About Mat-Su Health Foundation

    The mission of the Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. Through grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change, the foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org.

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  • Healthy Smiles Forever

    Healthy Smiles Forever

    A smile a day keeps the doctor away.

    The mere act of smiling can lift one’s mood, lower stress, boost the immune system and even prolong one’s life. Yet, for many older adults, smiling, and even eating and communicating are a challenge as a result of oral health issues. 

    Elders in assisted-living and long-term care facilities are at particular risk of poor oral health. Without the infrastructure for consistent dental care or staff trained in providing dental hygiene services, dental problems are common. 

    The difficulty in transporting elderly residents with mobility issues makes dental care even harder to access. Some residents are unable to stand up and scoot into a wheelchair. Even if they can get into the wheelchair, dental offices cannot physically lift patients from that wheelchair to the dental chair safely. For others, cognitive and other physical limitations present additional barriers.

    Royann Royer, a local dental hygienist, saw this gap in care and decided to take matters into her own hands. 

    She began visiting assisted-living facility residents and discussing the need for dental care with the administrators. Recognizing the scale of the issue, Royer partnered with Christian Health Associates to develop Healthy Smiles Forever. Today, it provides comprehensive on-site dental services to residents of five assisted-living and long-term care facilities in Palmer, Wasilla, and Anchorage. Healthy Smiles Forever is the only such organization in Alaska.

    With over 20% of Mat-Su residents over the age of 60, access to this type of dental care is essential, and the need is expected to increase with time. By offering preventive services, restorative services, denture services and non-surgical extractions at each site one to two days a week, Healthy Smiles Forever is improving the overall health of Mat-Su’s older adultss—and promoting more smiles. 

     Mat-Su Health Foundation helps Healthy Smiles Forever make dental care more accessible.

    In 2023, Mat-Su Health Foundation awarded $250,000 to Christian Health Associates and Healthy Smiles Forever to expand its services for more than 200 residents at three long-term care facilities in the Mat-Su. The grant allowed Healthy Smiles Forever to pay dental care specialists, expand their in-facility services and provide training and education to CNAs and other providers.

    The fact that people can get the care they need where they live has brought an incredible sense of relief for residents and their families. The Mat-Su Health Foundation is proud to support this critical work. 

  • Enabling first responders to better support those in crisis

    Enabling first responders to better support those in crisis

    Today, an innovative, community-based training program is equipping first responders in the Mat-Su to support people experiencing behavioral health crises. While encounters between people in crisis and first responders may bear a risk of escalation, arrests, and a deepening cycle of crisis, first responders are now better able to turn these encounters into opportunities to connect people with vital support services.

    A first responder training that’s changing lives

    A coalition of first responders brought the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Academy Training to the Mat-Su in 2015. Designed to increase safety and get people connected to support, CIT training programs exist in many communities across the country. They equip first responders—like police, firefighters, and EMTs—with tools to engage more effectively with people in distress. At its core is a 40-hour training in which first responders learn to:

    • Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental illness
    • Safely de-escalate crisis situations
    • Engage with people in ways that are non-threatening
    • Connect people with community resources

    “Public service goes a lot further than just finding a violation of law and taking people to jail,” said Ryan Anderson, an Alaska State Trooper who was among the first attendees of the CIT trainings in Mat-Su. “Sometimes we’re that first line of contact for people, and it’s our opportunity to actually get them connected to resources—and make the difference between them having a bad day or a worse day.”

    When the program started, fewer than 20% of behavioral health related 911 calls were responded to by someone with behavioral health crisis training. Today 150 first responders in and near the Mat-Su Borough, including Alaska State Troopers, State Officers, and local police, have the skills to address these moments of crisis.

    CIT has changed the way many first responders do their jobs. Instead of responding to a behavioral health crisis with confrontation and moving toward an arrest, they’ll now instead use de-escalation tactics taught and reinforced at the academy training. 

    Forging connections between first responders and behavioral health services

    Mat-Su’s CIT Coalition has built positive, ongoing relationships between law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency services, and many other community-based services. As a result, first responders are well educated on the support systems available and can often make a warm hand-off of the client to crisis support services when appropriate.

    CIT has been vital to improving the care of our community members. In addition to creating more compassionate interactions between law enforcement and community members in crisis, it has been a catalyst for growth and new initiatives:

    • A CIT training program is now available to meet growing demand.
    • A program was formed to address repeat ER visitors, connecting them with resources to move them out of a cycle of crisis and into community-based care.
    • A Mat-Su mobile crisis team, consisting of a trained clinician and a peer support specialist, is now available to respond to emergency behavioral health calls, with the backup of a CIT-trained law enforcement officer.

    Mat-Su Health Foundation has been proud to not only financially support the training program, but also to facilitate ongoing networking between local law enforcement, emergency services, and service providers. This work is closely connected to our vision for all Mat-Su residents to have access to the best healthcare possible. We are working for Mat-Su to be the healthiest borough: and for that to happen, we must be the most healthcare-accessible borough. The CIT training academy program is one way it’s becoming a reality.

  • Celebrating its Namesake: Wasilla High School Strengthens Community by Learning Local History

    Celebrating its Namesake: Wasilla High School Strengthens Community by Learning Local History

    Members of the Knik Tribal Council take a photo with the new Chief Wasilla statue at Wasilla High School. KTC worked closely with the high school to ensure the legacy of Chief Wasilla was honored. Courtesy of Wasilla High School
    Courtesy of Wasilla High School

    Like many schools, Wasilla High School’s mascot is a Native warrior—and has been for years. In 2021, it was brought to the school’s attention that the Native warrior embodied in its mascot was not Chief Wasilla, for which the school was named. It was the image of a Lakota Sioux, a tribe that today resides in North and South Dakota, nearly 3,000 miles from Wasilla. In response, Wasilla High School embarked on a mission to learn about and honor its namesake, a respected Alaska Native chief whose ancestors and relatives today call the Mat-Su home.

    Wasilla High School started its journey by reaching out to the Knik Tribal Council to explore the life of Chief Wasilla. By working with the tribe directly, the school learned about his legacy as a revered and respected local Dena’ina Athabascan leader and, in turn, helped educate the school and community about the local Dena’ina Peoples and Athabascan culture.
    “I would ask students all the time, ‘Do you know the history behind Wasilla or how we got our namesake?’ No student could tell me,” said Jason Marvel, Wasilla High School principal. “There’s no local curriculum about Indigenous peoples in Alaska history courses. You don’t really have specific targeted units on just our area.” To rectify this gap, the school worked in partnership with the Knik Tribal Council to design a two-week curriculum for its Alaska history courses. Marvel says it was created “so that every single one of our students will have that access, and they will know exactly who Chief Wasilla is and why this area was named Wasilla.”
    Grounded in new insights about its namesake, Wasilla High School replaced the mascot with an accurate representation of Chief Wasilla, who was revered for his strength, leadership, and cultural integrity. Partly funded by Mat-Su Health Foundation, a striking bronze statue of Chief Wasilla standing a commanding 6 feet and 5 inches tall now sits in the school’s entryway. The statue’s accompanying historical information, carefully curated by the Knik Tribal Council, sheds light on the enduring impact of Dena’ina culture on the region.

    “If there is more access to knowledge about Knik Tribe’s history here, we all win. We win as residents, we win as neighbors,” said Kevin Toothaker, Knik Tribe Cultural Exchange Program administrator. The updated high school mascot and the unveiling of the statue stand as a testament to the power of collaboration and how honoring the past, embracing the present, and fostering a more culturally aware future can make us a stronger community.

    “I believe our focus, as well as that of our administration team, was centered on the power of unity in high school. It’s a testament to community when diverse viewpoints converge,” said Marvel. “Our society is often divided, but it’s crucial to understand that disagreements are acceptable. By working together, we can enhance our community. This truly symbolizes the collaboration of Knik Tribal Council, Wasilla High School, Mat-Su Health Foundation and others in building a stronger, inclusive community where all perspectives are valued and represented.”

    MSHF is a proud partner in this effort—and others—that broaden our understanding of the Mat-Su’s peoples and history. We are all stronger for it.

    Did you know? In the Dena’ina Athabascan Indian dialect, “Wasilla” is said to mean “breath of air.” Learn more about your home and its Alaska Native heritage by going to the Wasilla High School website.