Section VI: Alaska Native/American Indian/Indigenous Women

President: Alberta Arviso, PhD (2023–25)

President-elect: Vicky Lomay, PhD (2024–26)

Past President: Teresa LaFromboise, PhD (2021–23)

Secretary: Maria Crouch, PhD

Awards Co-chairs: Teresa LaFromboise, PhD & Maria Crouch, PhD

Treasurer: Stephanie Wescoup, MEd

Program Chair: As needed

Membership Chair: Rachel Fouladi, PhD

ECP Representative: Amanda Young, PhD & Vernita Perkins, PhD

Student Representative: Gwen Rasmussen, MA

Website: Vernita Perkins, PhD

Social Media: Melissa Wheeler, MA

Membership period is January through December. After August 1, memberships are applied to the following calendar year. For membership questions, please contact the section president. For more information about Section VI, join our Facebook group or follow us on X.

To join Section VI, complete the section's sign-up form.

• To network and get mentoring and support from each other.
• To provide outreach, guidance and mentoring to Indigenous students of psychology
• To advance understanding of the psychology of Indigenous women to further the development of research methods and models of treatment and intervention that are ethical, cultural and gender appropriate for Indigenous women.
• To advance the scientific understanding of features of ethnicity, culture and class among Indigenous women which pertain to the psychology of women.
• To accentuate the importance of adequate education and training in service and investigative approaches related to Indigenous people.
• To advocate on behalf of Indigenous women psychologist with respect to the formation of policies of Division 35.
• To provide a systematic forum for the presentation of police, clinical and research findings in the area of services to American Indian/Alaska Native and other Indigenous women, children, youth and families at APA meetings.

Intergenerational Trauma Among American Indians: An Overview (PDF, 1MB) is a presentation that describes how American Indian women go beyond enduring adversity and embrace life, despite the traumatic history and cultural damage. Successful interventions are respectful, community based, and evidence based.

Keepers of the Fire Awards (Section VI)

In the Spirit of Indigenous wisdom and cultures, the awards for Division 35, Section VI recognize those members or allies of the section of the Native community who perpetuate Indigenous ways of knowing. Those who fuel the fires of scientific knowledge and weave the threads of the community together in ways that honor and sustain the legacy we each represent.

• Sweetgrass Award
  This award honors the Indigenous psychology professional who epitomizes values and virtues through the dedication of outstanding professionalism in service.
• Sage Award
  The Sage Award is for the Indigenous Early Career Professional who is emerging as a professional and is an exemplar of Native values in a role of service leadership to the Native community.
• Cedar Award
  The Cedar Award is for the Indigenous graduate student who has completed research or is involved in service focused on the needs of Indigenous communities.