Society of Indian Psychologists Presidential Trio Meeting Minutes
June 5, 2020
A conference call with the Presidential Trio of the Society of Indian Psychologists was held on Friday, June 5,
2020. The meeting convened at approximately 4:00pm (EST).
Members in attendance: Iva GreyWolf, Joe Gone, Gayle Morse, Charlotte McCloskey, and Royleen Ross
I.
APA webinar
a.
Disappointed in APA response
b.
Contact Brian Smedley and ask how to address lack of visibility
c.
Woefully inadequate for an accurate history
d.
Psychologists going into the field with little or no background
II.
APA COVID-19 webinar in Indian Country
a.
Individuals identified for webinar – need gender balance
b.
John Gonzalez, Kyle Hill, Vicky Lomay, and Royleen Ross
c.
Kyle Hill will send bio; inundated with protesting activity in Minneapolis
III.
Task force addressing racial discrimination
a.
Joanna reviewed, supported, and response
b.
John Gonzalez appointed as SIP representative; he will have a broad impact and potential to
have influence in group
c.
Self-nomination process; conversation with Brian about process incongruence
d.
Ongoing problem; Iva will address with Brian directly
IV.
SIP convention
a.
Update from Melissa; email came out earlier in the AM
V.
Equity Flattens the Curve webinar
a.
Participants were placed on a listserv; over 500 emails, inundated (Charlotte declined)
b.
Many conversations on violence; good dialogue
c.
Demand increasing and feeling divided
d.
Joe was placed on list but was unaware of who/how was identified to be put on there
VI.
SIP message board
a.
In an EC meeting, Tina suggested having a message board for members only
b.
EC approves topic – convention may take precedence
VII.
SIP election voting process
a.
Process has gone fairly smoothly, nothing unanticipated
b.
Joe received updated spreadsheets
c.
Four people who had paid their dues but did not receive ballot
d.
Wendy will send tally from automated system, voter fraud unlikely; people eager to vote
e.
Process set up for the future; many moving parts; team effort
VIII.
Awards
a.
Iva had not heard back from Michael (Azarani) on the Steve Fund
b.
Research pertaining to Native population to qualify for award (non-Native)
c.
Discussion on a new Lifetime Elder SIP honorary award; Joe, Carolyn, Dan, Diane mentioned
d.
Iva will contact Alberta about certificates, potential ceremony
e.
Honor Janet Thomas with a Pendleton; she has contributed many work hours to SIP; ally
IX.
COVID-19 in Indian Country
a.
Discussion on high rates per capita such as in Yakima in comparison to WA state
b.
Closure of borders not available to all tribes, e.g. Red Lake and White Earth
c.
Health disparities and health care; respiratory problems and diabetes
d.
Mainstream “thinks the rules are the same”
X.
Solidarity statement
a.
Discussion on sending out the letter to listserv/EC and request edits by morning
b.
Statement usually collaborative with EMPAs and Equity, but many already sent out
c.
Several SIP members have been personally affected with relatives in law enforcement
d.
Focus needs to be on Black community; edits to statement
e.
Iva mentioned “silence is not a good thing in this instance”
f.
Time of the essence for release of SIP statement
XI.
Miscellaneous
a.
Joe has been addressing issues at work pertaining to matters of a highly sensitive nature
b.
Discussion and support
Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:46PM (EST)
