Tonie Marie Quaintance, PhD Candidate

Tonie Marie Quaintance, whose Native name, Yethnhahnilats, means “makes her life strong,” is an enrolled descendant in the Turtle Clan of the Oneida Tribe in Oneida, WI. Quaintance earned a bachelor’s degree in justice, with a minor in psychology, and was the first Native American student accepted in the University of Alaska Joint PhD Program in Clinical-Community Psychology with a rural and indigenous emphasis.

Quaintance is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, United National Indian Tribal Youth Scholar (2006); and an Indian Health Service Spirit of Eagles Scholar (2007-2009), an American Indian Graduate Center Fellow, an ANPsych Scholar, an Andrew R. Mellon Fellow, and a charter member of the Psi Alpha Omega Honor Society: The National Honor Society for Psychologists of Color. She is the second recipient in the state of Alaska to receive the “ULU” award from the Alaska Native Justice Center for her dedication to social justice research in Alaska.

Tonie is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) Divisions Division 18 Psychologists of Public Service, Division 45 Study for Psychological Study of Ethnic Minorities, Division 56 Trauma Psychology; Alaska Psychological Association; Native Research Network; and Society of Indian Psychologist. Tonie is Chair of the Alaska Psychology Association Diversity Committee and on the governing Board of APA Division 35 Indigenous Women in Psychology. She is Member at Large on the Bear Valley Community Association Board of Directors, and is an active member of the Alaska Native Professional Association.

Tonie has demonstrated a passionate life-long commitment and a dedication to facilitate health and well-being in indigenous communities. She has demonstrated cultural attunement, sensitivity, and awareness of issues faced by rural communities in Alaska and is contributing to many valuable insights regarding this phenomenon.