Summer Solstice & Indigenous Psychology

Summer Solstice & Indigenous Psychology 

The month of June holds significance for many cultures and for many reasons. Juneteenth, Summer Solstice, and National Indigenous Peoples Day, all fall within the same window of time. This shared window of time, in which multiple traditions and events are acknowledged and celebrated, illuminates how cultural experiences and social construct can shape the way we make meaning of the world. 

Our understanding of holidays, societal taboos, of dating rituals, and even mental health, are so closely tied to what we have learned within the context of our cultural background. The information we receive ... the information we don't, and all the information we were never exposed to, influences the lens through which we see the world. 

What if a deeper understanding about summer solstice, from an unfamiliar lens, could shift the way you make meaning of the world around you? What if information from a varied perspective, could shift your relationship with the environment, your community, spirituality, mental health, and ultimately the way you experience the world?

Join us, on Friday June 19th, Juneteenth, at 10am, for a discussion with Vincent Gonzales, about summer solstice, the systemic dismantling of Indigenous knowledge, and other juicy topics related to mental health and decolonization. 

Vincent Gonzales is a proud descendant of the Chickasaw Nation, Mescalero Apache, Coahueltican, and Mexica. He currently resides in Santa Barbara, CA, where he serves his community through clinical work, academia, and his commitment to epistemic justice. Vince's clinical practice is currently based at an Urban Indian Integrated Medical Clinic as well as private practice.