Departmental Affiliations
Center & Institute Affiliations
Miigis Gonzalez, PhD, MPH, brings her Indigenous teachings to the forefront of research and public health practice to uplift Indigenous traditional knowledges and restore Indigenous systems of care.
Research Interests
Indigenous strengths-based, culture-focused, community-grounded, substance use prevention, mental health, spiritual health
Experiences & Accomplishments
Miigis Gonzalez, PhD (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe) is an Assistant Scientist in the Department of International Health and within the Center for Indigenous Health. Dr. Gonzalez is a social and behavioral health scientist who focuses on the health impact of Indigenous language, culture, and ceremony. She is dedicated to conducting research and supporting the development of programs that uplift Indigenous traditional knowledges and that move Indigenous communities towards health equity and health sovereignty.
Select Publications
Gonzalez, Miigis, Alexandra Z. Johnson, Lisa A. Martin., Naawakwe, Jill Fish, Lalaine Sevillano, Melissa L. Walls, Lee O. Staples. (2024). Planting the seed: using research as a tool to revitalize puberty ceremonies in Anishinaabe communities. Qualitative Research Journal.
Gonzalez, Miigis, Rachel Steinberg, Forrest Bruce, Jessica Saniguq Ullrich, Melissa Walls. Indigenous Elders’ Conceptualization of Wellbeing: An Anishinaabe Worldview Perspective. (2023). International Journal of Indigenous Health. 18(1):1-16. DOI: 10.32799/ijih.v18i1.39518
Gonzalez, Miigis B., Kelley J. Sittner, Melissa L. Walls. 2022. “Cultural Efficacy as a Novel Component of Understanding Linkages between Culture and Mental Health in Indigenous Communities.” American Journal of Community Psychology, 1-11. DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12594.
Gonzalez, Miigis B., Kelley J. Sittner, Melissa L. Walls. 2021. Spiritual connection through prayer as a mediator of the relationship between Indigenous language use and positive mental health. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. DOI: 10.1037/cdp0000466.