Gii'Igoshimong — Sitting With Your First Family ceremonial program for Ojibwe/Anishinaabe adults
The Protective Role of Ceremony Against Substance Use for American Indian Adults
This project will test whether taking part in the Gii'igoshimong ceremony helps Ojibwe/Anishinaabe adults who used substances in the past 30 days reduce substance use and improve related mental health and protective factors.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Duluth, Minnesota) |
| Trial ID | NCT07075081 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The project uses a community-based participatory randomized wait-list control design enrolling about 300 Ojibwe/Anishinaabe adults who report substance use in the past 30 days. After baseline assessments, participants are randomized to attend an up-to four-day Gii'igoshimong ceremony immediately or to a wait-list control who attend after 1- and 6-month follow-ups, with all cohorts completing baseline, 1-month, and 6-month assessments. Outcomes include substance use behaviors, depressive symptoms, measures of spirituality and community support, and neurocognitive measures of self-relevant processing before and after ceremony. The study will also create and evaluate implementation strategies to support long-term community sustainment of the ceremonial practice.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Ojibwe/Anishinaabe adults age 18 or older who self-report using any substances in the past 30 days and who do not have pregnancy, a seizure disorder, Type 2 diabetes, or a history of head injury with loss of consciousness.
Not a fit: People who are under 18, do not self-identify as Ojibwe/Anishinaabe, have not used substances in the past 30 days, are pregnant, have a seizure disorder, Type 2 diabetes, or a history of head injury with loss of consciousness may not be eligible and are less likely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participating individuals could experience reduced substance use, fewer depressive symptoms, and stronger protective factors like spirituality and community support.
How similar studies have performed: Observational and community-based work suggests traditional ceremonial practices can protect against substance use, but randomized controlled trials testing these ceremonies are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Are 18 years of age or older, * Self-identify as Ojibwe/Anishinaabe/Chippewa, * Self-report using any kind of substances in the past 30 days, * Have no history of head injury with loss of consciousness, * Do not have a seizure disorder, * Do not currently have Type 2 Diabetes, * Are not currently pregnant Exclusion Criteria: * Younger than18 years of age * Does not Self-identify as Ojibwe/Anishinaabe/Chippewa, * Does not self-report using any kind of substances in the past 30 days, * Has history of head injury with loss of consciousness, * Has Type 2 Diabetes, * Has a seizure disorder, * Currently pregnant
Where this trial is running
Duluth, Minnesota
- Great Lakes Hub — Duluth, Minnesota, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Migis Gonzalez, PhD — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Miigis B Gonzalez, PhD
- Email: mgonza75@jhu.edu
- Phone: 2183494603
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.