Patricia Gonzales

As a Coastal Band Member-at-Large, Patricia Gonzales brings a strong foundation in cultural preservation, legal advocacy, and community-centered research. Through her work with CalNAGPRA and her studies in bioarchaeology and federal Indian law, she offers valuable expertise in repatriation efforts and the respectful care of Ancestors.

Patricia is currently an enrolled M.A. student in Interdisciplinary Studies at Fresno State, focusing on bioarchaeology and federal Indian law. She returned to school with a clear purpose: to support CalNAGPRA efforts, particularly those concerning the Ancestors. This commitment is what led her to study osteology.

For the past two years, she has worked as an assistant in Fresno State’s CalNAGPRA department. She also works with the Fresno State Foundation on an NSF-sponsored project titled "Mapping the Origins of Segregation in U.S. Urban Areas: Historical Segregation Research and GIS Resources."

In her free time, she loves spending time with li'ya kikʰikič, weaving, dancing, singing, and revitalizing the Šmuwič language.