In 2025, Siksika Health Services and the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) established a partnership through traditional ceremony and signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Representatives from PAA, Siksika Nation, and CAP were in attendance for this significant commitment. See the full press release here
2018-2022, the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA) and the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) formed a joint working group, sanctioned by both boards, to impact change in our province specific to realizing truth and reconciliation considerations relevant to our profession, to Indigenous psychologists who live and work in our communities, and to our clients. This was an important start for our journey.
Members: Wilma Spear Chief, R. Psychologist (AB); Loretta McConnell, R. Psychologist (AB); Janice Minoose, R. Psychologist (AB); Meagan Farquharson, R. Psychologist (AB); Karlee Fellner, R. Psychologist (AB); Dr. Deena Martin, R. Psychologist (AB); Judi Malone, R. Psych, Past-PAA CEO; Richard Spelliscy, R. Psych, CAP CEO
The Group Sought to Impact:
- Our Profession – so that we may take responsibility, current and future psychologists
- Our Clients – the people that we serve
- Every Indigenous person and Indigenous peoples in Alberta
This work included recommending practice guidelines, and challenging Alberta psychologists to increase their awareness and training.
Impact:
- CAP established a Practice Standard and Guideline to inform psychological practice with Indigenous peoples
- CAP added new content to the Law and Ethics for Alberta Psychology Exam
- CAP added a new requirement for annual continuing professional development in Indigenous issues
- PAA created a library of Educational Resources, including local, provincial, national, and international learning tools
- Piloted Land-Based Mental Health Training
Resources:
Psychology's Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Report
Guide to Acknowledging First Peoples & Traditional Territory
Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Psychotherapy
Psynopsis- Decolonizing Psychological Training
Psynopsis- Grounding Psychology in Indigenous Worldviews
Psynopsis-Fighting Ignorance with Education
Beyond 94: Truth and Reconciliation in Canada
PAA's Indigenizing Psychology Community of Practice
Past PAA Indigenous-Focused Trainings:
- Decolonizing Supervision & Practice: Iyiniwak Wisdoms for Wellness with Dr. Karlee Fellner
- Bridging the Divide between Clinical and Cultural- Indigenous Awareness Training with Leigh-Anne Sheldon
- Decolonizing Gender and Sexuality with Rae Madge
- Cultural Safety and Humility for Psychologists with Elder Beverly Keeshig-Soonias and Wilma Spear Chief
- Indigenous Wisdoms in Practice Part I: Land-Based Tools for Wellness with Dr. Karlee Fellner
- Indigenous Wisdoms in Practice Part II: Advanced Tools for Wellness with Dr. Karlee Fellner
"A psychologist shall take reasonable steps to familiarize themselves with the current and historical injustices suffered by Indigenous peoples prior to providing services, and ensure all professional activities are performed in a culturally sensitive, safe, and competent practice" - College of Alberta Psychologists, 2022