Onawa LaBelle

Onawa LaBelle is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Windsor. A first-generation university student with Indigenous ancestry (Métis and Mahican), she holds a PhD and MA from University of Michigan and BA from Smith College.

Her research examines social dimensions of addiction and recovery, particularly through positive psychology frameworks. She studies social support programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Recovery Dharma, investigating mechanisms like gratitude, mindfulness, and social connection in recovery processes. Her work has validated assessment tools for spirituality, situational confidence, and program involvement in addiction treatment.

Awards:

• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

LaBelle has taught personality psychology and served on diversity committees to recruit underrepresented students into psychology programs. She brings cross-cultural perspectives from her work facilitating women's health seminars in India.