Shé:kon Ohiaríha!
Welcome to June, a month of renewal, reflection, and resilience. As we embrace the warmth of summer, we honor the strength and spirit of our communities, particularly Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island. Here's a look at the meaningful events and observances shaping this month:
🍓 Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Strawberry Festival: A Celebration of Culture and Unity
The Kanatsiohareke Mohawk Community will be celebrating their annual Strawberry Festival. This event honors the sacred strawberry, a symbol of life and health in Haudenosaunee culture. The festival fosters community togetherness through traditional and contemporary music, social dancing, and storytelling. It's a time to reconnect with heritage and each other, strengthening bonds and celebrating resilience.
🟦 Turquoise Alert: Arizona's Commitment to Missing Indigenous Persons
In 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.
🧠 June Mental Health and Awareness Observances
National PTSD Awareness Month: A time to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder and its effects on individuals and communities. National PTSD Awareness Day (June 27).
Federal Regulations updates for 2025
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/
JUNE RELATIVES' HIGHLIGHTS
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THE YEAR 2025
SIP ANNUAL CONVENTION 2024
SIP Attends the APA 2024 Convention in Seattle!!
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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)