We are attending the 2025 APA Annual Convention!
Check out our scheduled activities here!
Welcome to August!
This month brings excitement, connection, and celebration, especially as many from our SIP community head to Denver, Colorado for the 2025 APA Convention! We’re proud to share that our students and psychologists will be well represented, with several members presenting, networking, and sharing Indigenous knowledge at this national gathering. If you’ll be in Denver, keep an eye out for our sessions and events, we’d love to see you there and support one another.
We encourage you to carry our cultural teachings with you as you attend the APA Convention or engage in your own work this month. Let’s continue to uplift Indigenous voices and knowledge in psychology and beyond.
Our hearts are with the Navajo Nation and all those affected by the current wildfires.
We stand in solidarity with the communities impacted during this difficult time. Please know that you are not alone, support is available.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, here are some trusted resources:
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Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management
Updates, emergency shelter information, and direct support services.
📞 Phone: (928) 871-6895
🌐 https://www.ndem-navajo-nsn.gov -
American Red Cross – Arizona and New Mexico Region
Disaster relief, evacuation center updates, and emotional support.
📞 1-800-733-2767
🌐 https://www.redcross.org/local/arizona.html -
National Interagency Fire Center – Wildfire Resources
National updates on active fires and safety resources.
🌐 https://www.nifc.gov
Please stay safe and follow official evacuation and safety guidance. Our thoughts and support are with you.
Federal Regulations updates for 2025
Turquoise Alert: Arizona's Commitment to Missing Indigenous PersonsIn a significant legislative move, Arizona has passed House Bill 2281, establishing the "Turquoise Alert" system for missing Indigenous persons. This alert system, named in honor of 14-year-old Emily Pike, aims to raise awareness and expedite responses to cases involving Indigenous individuals. It's a step toward healing and justice for families and communities affected by such tragedies.
With the introduction of new legislation limiting EDI programs, experts are shifting toward inclusion-focused approaches to ensure support while balancing diverse needs. Leaders like Tabbye Chavous, PhD, emphasize the ongoing importance of EDI in promoting equitable access and success. Ella F. Washington, PhD, notes that EDI initiatives have faced fluctuations in support over the years, encouraging organizations to stay consistent in their commitment.
To explore more about how EDI efforts are evolving, visit the APA website.
Updates: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY2025 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule on July 10, 2024. Find more info: https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/government/cms-federal-rule
Medicare changes in 2025. The final rule on the 2025 Medicare physician fee schedule brings some good news for psychologists and aims to increase access to behavioral health services. https://www.apaservices.org/practice/reimbursement/government/2025-medicare-changes
Extensions of telehealth access options. https://telehealth.hhs.gov/providers/telehealth-policy/telehealth-policy-updates
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act Final Rules (“Final Rules”) Are Released: Plans and Issuers Must Prepare for January 1, 2025 Effective Date (US). Find more info: https://www.triagehealthlawblog.com/hhs/mental-health-parity-and-addiction-equity-act-final-rules-final-rules-are-released-plans-and-issuers-must-prepare-for-january-1-2025-effective-date-us/
AUGUST RELATIVES' HIGHLIGHTS
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THE YEAR 2025
APA Annual Convention
You're invited to join the Society of Indian Psychologists for a powerful and timely presentation at APA Denver 2025: “Indigenizing and Decolonizing Assessments and Evaluations: Sweetgrass Method.” This session will be led by SIP President Mark Standing Eagle Baez, Past President B.J. Boyd, and President-Elect Vicky T. Lomay, who will share Indigenous-centered approaches that challenge colonial frameworks in psychological assessment. Taking place Thursday, August 7th from 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Colorado Convention Center (Street Level -208), this event offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading Native psychologists about culturally grounded, healing-based evaluation methods. All are welcome! come be part of the movement to transform the field through Indigenous knowledge.
SIP ANNUAL CONVENTION 2024
SIP Attends the APA 2024 Convention in Seattle!!
For allies, agencies, organizations, and groups looking to produce a Land
Acknowledgment, we would like to share and amplify existing resources developed by
the Native Governance Center. We would like to urge interested parties to review in its
entirety the Indigenous Land Acknowledgement Guide.
This guide takes you through some steps to developing a thoughtful, respectful, and well-
researched land acknowledgment.
Most importantly, we urge interested folks to take time to review the Beyond Land
Acknowledgement Guide.
This resource outlines some problems with land acknowledgements, including
asking Indigenous collaborators to develop the land acknowledgment, careless or
limited research to inform the statement, and a focus on verbiage and optics rather than
steps towards tangible allyship. This guide then walks readers through developing a
meaningful action plan for Indigenous allyship that moves beyond land
acknowledgment, including a self-assessment and action planning worksheet.
Updated March 27 2025 by Brian McNeill, Ph.D. (Nez Perce and Palouse)