Projects
At the Society of Indian Psychologists (SIP), our projects reflect our mission to advocate for the psychological well-being of American Indians and other Indigenous peoples while advancing Indigenous psychology. Through scholarship, clinical practice, and organizational research, we support Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities with approaches that honor cultural values and traditions.
Our work is guided by community needs, ethical responsibility, and a vision of healing from past harms while building a stronger future for Indigenous psychology.
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This initiative provides culturally informed guidance for Native psychology students preparing for licensure. The handbook helps demystify the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) and addresses unique challenges Native candidates face, offering strategies to succeed while maintaining cultural identity.
Supreme Court Upholds Indian Child Welfare Act (2023) – SIP joined in celebrating and amplifying this historic decision safeguarding Native children, families, and tribes.
2018 SIP Response to ICWA Challenges – In response to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals decision, SIP provided recommendations to uphold protections and advocate for the well-being of Native children.
We actively support awareness, research, and advocacy efforts surrounding MMIR and its Task Force. SIP contributes expertise to task forces and community initiatives addressing systemic violence, prevention, and healing. Our focus includes both supporting affected families and advancing culturally grounded policy and clinical responses.
Psychology has not always served Indigenous peoples with respect or care. SIP has been part of reconciliation efforts, including the Apology Letters from psychology organizations such as the American Psychological Association (APA). These acknowledgments are steps toward accountability and healing, and SIP continues to push for actions that repair harm and rebuild trust with Native communities.
Our Commitment
Every project SIP undertakes is rooted in our purpose: to create spaces of support for Native psychologists, to mentor the next generation, and to ensure that research, practice, and policy are ethically and culturally appropriate for Indigenous peoples. From protecting children to preparing future clinicians, SIP’s projects embody our dedication to Indigenous well-being and knowledge.
SIP is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of psychologists. Through our Mentorship Project, we provide guidance and support to First Nations and other Indigenous students who are beginning their journey in psychology.
This project also welcomes allies, students and early-career professionals who seek to learn from Indigenous perspectives in order to serve Native communities with respect. Mentors emphasize culturally grounded approaches to research, practice, and healing, ensuring that future psychologists build their careers in ways that honor sovereignty, traditions, and community well-being, without causing harm or disruption.
By fostering these connections, SIP helps shape a more inclusive, ethical, and culturally attuned field of psychology, rooted in Indigenous knowledge and guided by respect for all communities.