The three sisters garden: A cultural approach to cultivating American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) psychological service providers.

Abstract

Less than 300 practicing Native American (NA) psychologists are available to support over 5.2 million American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) who reside in the U.S., according to the 2010 census (2010; Society of Indian Psychologists [SIP], 2016). The Three Sisters Model represents a training approach for NA behavioral health students to help address the need for culturally competent behavioral health services for individuals living in Indian country. The model utilizes a socially relevant approach including culture, spirituality, and education as key components to successful recruitment, retention, and training of NA behavioral health professionals. By incorporating culturally informed approaches and a culturally inclusive environment, this model provides a supportive, nurturing and affirming approach to help AI/AN students overcome challenges and complete their degrees. Upon completion, students are culturally proficient in skills which can be applied to Native communities in utilizing the Indigenous lens which can be used with tribes in the Midwestern U.S., but with local cultural adaptation it could be used in other regions. The 15 programs of the Three Sisters Model provide the steps for students to manage the completion of the steps (e.g., from high school to college) toward licensure while managing and balancing Western and Indigenous approaches to proficiency of care. The model includes supports to address barriers which have inhibited past AI/AN from reaching education and professional goals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).