Indigenous Psychologies in an Era of Decolonization

This groundbreaking volume explores the capacity of Indigenous psychologies to counter the effects of longstanding colonization on traditional cultures and habitats. It chronicles the editor’s extensive research in the Lacandon Rainforest in southern Mexico, illustrating respectful methodologies and authentic friendship—a decolonized approach by a committed scholar—and the concerted efforts of community members to preserve their history and heritage. Descriptions of collaborations among children, parents, students, and elders demonstrate the continued passing on of indigenous knowledge, culture, art, and spirituality. This richly layered narrative models cultural resilience and resistance in their transformative power to replace environmental and cultural degradation with co-existence and partnership.

Included in the coverage:

• Indigenous psychologies: a contestation for epistemic justice. 

• The ecological context and the methods of inquiry and praxes.

• Environmental impact assessment of deforestation in three communities of the Lacandon Rainforest.

• Public policy development for community and ecological wellbeing. 

• Oral history, legends, myths, poetry, and images.

With stirring examples to inspire future practices and policies, Indigenous Psychologies in an Era of Decolonization will take its place as a bedrock text for indigenous psychology and community psychology researchers. It speaks needed truths as the world comes to grips with pressing issues of environmental preservation, restorative justice for marginalized peoples, and the waging of peace over conflict.

Nuria Ciofalo is co-Chair and Professor of the Community Psychology, Liberation Psychology, and Ecopsychology specialization at Pacifica Graduate Institute. Born in Mexico, she gained her B.A. and first M.A. in Clinical and Social Psychology in Germany where she specialized in psychoanalytic theories. Her M.A. in Urban and Regional Planning and Ph.D. in Community Psychology at the University of Hawaii immersed her in the Native Hawaiian sovereignty movement and healing practices. She has worked with Indigenous communities in Hawaii, Northern, Central, and Southern Mexico for more than 30 years. She teaches Indigenous psychologies centering Indigenous wisdom, cosmologies, and healing practices in academic curricula.