Quyana, Nathalie!

Quyana to Nathalie Dull, Prevention and Recovery Program Director, in the Behavioral Health Department

“I want to recognize Nathalie Dull, Prevention and Recovery Program Director of Jakes Place for having an endless amount of energy to address all the complex issues that come up for both clients and employees. Her use of creativity and innovative methods to find solutions to help people in our region receive better substance use services has not only saved people’s lives, it has provided people a sense of positive self-regard and esteem who are historically devalued. Nathalie addresses the stigma that is associated with substance use and mental health symptoms with fearless resolve. She has also worked very hard to help improve prevention services and harm reduction options for people in Bristol Bay as well as the direct services we need to survive our experience of historical trauma. She clearly recognizes the need for person centered work and has put the love of a mother into her work with people coming to Jakes for help. She has fought for services to be more accessible to people who need them, as if the people coming for services were her own family. I have seen her show humility when we needed to change direction and acknowledge ideas or strategies that did not work. That has been invaluable in accomplishing things that do not have easy solutions. As a nation and region, we have long needed to improve our approach to substance use treatment and Nathalie recognizes and promotes the validity and efficacy of our ancestral teachings or culture as prevention, intervention, and a protective factor. She has promoted equity in a way that most people do not have the courage to acknowledge let alone bring into action. The way she uses her power promotes a feeling of empowerment among staff and clients. This has been an important experience for me as a co-worker and an example for me to follow as I grow into my true purpose as a human being. I am proud to work beside her and never feel beneath her or less than even when being directed to do something that is needed. She is tough as nails and at the same time compassionate and caring, giving us all a feeling of being cared for and protected while doing very difficult work. She builds on our strengths and encourages us to have courageous conversations with each other to promote an honest united team. This builds a feeling of being a part of something bigger and greater than any of us could be on our own. I am honored to watch her work so hard to honor our people and I learn from her every day. Quyanaqvaa Nathalie for being who you are and using your life experiences and all of your abilities to build us up. We appreciate you more than you could ever know.” 

-Tiffany Webb, Opiate Prevention Coordinator

Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation manages Kanakanak Hospital, a critical access facility, which is Joint Commission accredited, receives Health and Human Services funding, and is covered through the Federal Tort Claim Act with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including liability for medical malpractice claims, for its officers, board members, employees, and certain health profession contractors and health profession volunteers. Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation is recognized by the US Government and State of Alaska as a tribal organization under PL 93-638.