10/13/2026
Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Today, we celebrate the rich diversity of California’s Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, and recognize the leadership of Indigenous psychologists, scholars, healers, advocates, and mental health professionals.
California is home to more than 100 federally recognized Tribal Nations, alongside non-federally recognized Tribes and vibrant urban Indigenous communities. Their histories, cultures, and contributions are integral to the past, present, and future of our state.
Across California, Indigenous leaders are advancing psychological science, strengthening culturally responsive care, supporting families and communities, and developing approaches to mental health grounded in community priorities, cultural continuity, and self-determination.
Indigenous leadership also invites our profession to examine whose knowledge informs psychological science, whose voices shape mental health systems, and how we can better support community-led care.
On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we celebrate these contributions and reaffirm the importance of partnership, representation, and Indigenous leadership in shaping the future of mental healthcare.
With gratitude and respect to California’s Tribal Nations, Indigenous communities, and the generations of leaders who continue to shape our field.
MentalHealthLeadership michael changaris Dustin Weissman, PsyD