Gordon A. Martell PhD

Gordon’s teaching and research focus areas are Indigenous educational leadership and governance, organizational and policy development, and school leadership. Gordon has served in a variety of leadership capacities in band-controlled and provincial education. Recently, Gordon has been advising communities in the development of on-reserve First Nations education systems.

• PhD, University of Saskatchewan, 2016
• MEd (Thesis), University of Saskatchewan, 1998
• BEd ITEP (Distinction), University of Saskatchewan, 1990

• EADM 898 - The Role of K-12 School Leadership in Advancing Reconciliation Among Indigenous and Newcomer Communities
• EADM 898 - Methodologies for the Curation and Stewardship of Traditional Indigenous Knowledges
• EADM 892 - Indigenous Instructional Leadership: Place, Language, Kinship & Knowledge Systems
• EADM 820 - Administrative Roles in School Systems
• EADM 836 - Leading Community Development
• EADM 834 - Case Studies in Leadership
• EADM 811 - History and Development of Organizational Theory
• EADM 990 - International Student Seminar
• EADM 819 - Leadership and Governance in First Nation Education
• EADM 816 - Instructional Leadership for the Enhancement of Teaching

Theses and Dissertations Completed

• Schroeder, C. (2024). Using appreciative inquiry to understand the support needs of Indigenous students at the University of Saskatchewan. [EdD]. Department of Educational Administration, University of Saskatchewan.
• Bazin Webster, P. (2024). Investigating school-based leaders’ concrete steps towards wîtaskêwin in treaty 6 territory. [EdD]. Department of Educational Administration, University of Saskatchewan.
• Sanderson, S. (2024). Wâhkôhtowin: Essential restorative change for educational leadership. [EdD]. Department of Educational Administration, University of Saskatchewan.
• Harper, V. A. (2024). A cultural metamorphosis: From Indigenous school dropout to educational leadership. [EdD]. Department of Educational Administration, University of Saskatchewan.

Selected Publications

• Martell, G.A. & Mercereau, N. (accepted). [Review of the book Troubling Truth and Reconciliation in Canadian Education: Critical Perspectives, S.D. Styres & A. Kempf (Eds.)]. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy.
• Martell, G.A. & Mercereau, N. (accepted). An Indigenous self-declaration relational policy framework. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy.
• Martell, G.A. (2018). First we’re a school: Teachers and school leaders play a key role in reconciliation, but policy makers must resource schools for equity of opportunity and success. Education Canada, 58(2).
• Martell, G.A. (2010). A child’s life path. In Pfund, R. & Fowler-Kerry, S. (Eds.), Perspectives on palliative care for children and young people a global discourse. (pp. 150-158). Radcliffe.
• Martell, G.A. (2009). Witnessing the future from the shoulders of giants [Review of the book The Fourth Way: The Inspiring Future for Educational Change, by A. Hargreaves & D. Shirley]. Education Canada, 49(5).
• Martell, G.A. (2008) Why saving a seat is not enough: Aboriginal rights and school community councils in Saskatchewan. First Nations Perspectives, 1(1) 19-40.
• Martell, G.A. (2008). The questions are getting better. Leader Magazine. Spring Edition. League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents.

Selected Presentations

• Martell, G.A. (February 2025). Tipēyimisowin: Self-Determination, Community Consciousness, and Reconciliation - John Stack Lecture on Ethics & Responsibility, Canadian Bar Association SK Branch, Saskatoon, SK.
• Martell, G.A. (May 2024). Renewing the Covenant in Reconciliation and Healing, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon Bishop’s Annual Dinner, Saskatoon, SK.
• Sawchuk, K. & Martell, G.A. (May 2024). Kiskinohtamowin: An Indigenous Leadership Framework for Improved Student Learning Outcomes, Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Montreal, QC.
• Mercereau, N. & Martell, G.A. (May 2024). Wîcihowêwin: A Critical Policy Analysis of Métis Recognition and Representation, Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Montreal, QC.
• Martell, G.A. (May 2024). Liberative Metaphors and Encountering nehiyaw Pedagogical Principles, University of Saskatchewan SoTL Shine Summit 2024, Saskatoon, SK.
• Martell, G.A. (March 2024). Metaphors of Improvement: First Nations School Standards of Professional Practice, Meadow Lake Tribal Council Full Circle Conference, Saskatoon, SK.
• Martell, G.A. & Mercereau, N. (May 2023). An Indigenous Self-Declaration Relational Policy Framework, Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Toronto, ON.
• Gillies, C. & Martell, G.A. (May 2023). Indigenous Perspectives and Strategies for Engaging and Effective Post-Secondary Learning Environments, University of Saskatchewan SoTL Shine Summit 2023, Saskatoon, SK.
• Martell, G.A. & Hagemon, M. (2023). The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon: Opportunities & Strategies for Indigenous Engagement, Canadian Catholic School Trustees’ Association, Saskatoon, SK.
• Martell, G.A. (2022). Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon TRC Healing Fund Discernment Circle, Western Conference of Social Justice, Kelowna, BC.
• Martell, G.A. & Sawchuk, K. (2019). Kiskinohtamowin: Mobilizing an Epistemology of Promise, Indspire National Gathering for Indigenous Education, Edmonton, AB.
• Martell, G.A. & Beaudin, G. (2019). Mind, Body, Spirit and Emotion: Developing Educational Partnerships for Holistic Learning, Assembly of First Nations Directors of Education National Forum, Halifax, NS.
• Martell, G.A. (2018). Tapahtêyimowin: Leadership and Humility in Indigenous Education, Summer School on Leadership Excellence, Edmonton, AB.
• Martell, G.A. (2018). Mistahi Mêkowin: An Epistemology of Indigenous Leadership for School Improvement, Canadian Association of School System Administrators, Ottawa, ON.
• Martell, G.A. (May 2017). Greenfield Presentation, Tapahtêyimowin A Heuristic Study of Indigenous Educational Leadership, Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Toronto, ON.
• Martell, G.A. (2017). Evidence and Innovation: Improving the Participation and Outcomes of Vulnerable Children and Youth, Insights Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
• Martell, G.A. (2017). Itotamowin: Living Reconciliation through the St. Frances nehiyaw Bilingual Professional Development School, Saskatchewan School Boards Association, Regina, SK.
• Martell, G.A. (2015). Mamawohkamatowin: Working Together for Indigenous Student Success, Canadian School Boards Association, Saskatoon, SK.
• Martell, G.A. (2014). Mobilizing the Community for First Nations’ Student Success, The Oskāyak High School Turnaround, Northern Lights School Division, Prince Albert, SK.
• Martell, G.A. (2014) Tapwewin: Truthful Hearts, Transformational Acts, Saskatchewan School Based Administrators, Saskatoon, SK.

• Saskatchewan League of Educational Administrators, Directors and Superintendents Merit Award, 2024
• Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, 2023
• Thomas B. Greenfield Dissertation Award, Canadian Association for the Study of Educational Administration, 2017
• Distinguished Community Service Award, City of Saskatoon, 2015
• Honourary Lifetime Membership, Canadian Education Association, 2010
• Alumni Award, Aboriginal Initiatives, University of Saskatchewan, 2008

Current

• Director, Saskatchewan Principals’ Short Course, Saskatchewan Educational Leadership Unit
• Chair, College of Education ohpahotân I oohpaahotaan Committee
• SoTL Management Board, Jane and Ron Graham Centre for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Undergraduate Awards Committee, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan
• Student Affairs and Academic Standards Committee, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan
• Graduate Advisory Committee, Department of Educational Administration, University of Saskatchewan

Past

• Forum Witness, māmowi āsohtētān Internal Truth and Reconciliation Forum, University of Saskatchewan
• Indigenous Oversight Group, College of Education, University of Saskatchewan

• Advisor, Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2023 – 2024
• Waterhen Lake First Nation New School Committee Program & Resource Development, 2022 – Present
• Co-Chair, Truth and Reconciliation Working Group, Loran Scholars Foundation, 2023 - 2024
• Co-Chair, Granting Committee, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon TRC Healing Fund, 2022 – Present
• Co-Chair, Discernment Circle, Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon TRC Healing Fund, 2022 - Present
• Co-Chair, Equity and Inclusivity Advisory Group, Loran Scholars Foundation, 2021 - Present
• Board Governor, St. Thomas More College, 2021 – 2023
• Indigenous Education Accountability Committee, Saskatchewan School Boards Association, 2020 – 2023
• Meadow Lake Tribal Council, Education Technical Working Group, 2015 – Present
• Martin Aboriginal Education Initiative/Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Expert Advisory Panel, First Nations Principals’ Course, 2014 – 2016
• Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, First Nations Elementary and Secondary Education Reform Expert Group, 2012
• Board Director, Royal University Hospital Foundation, 2010 – 2016
• Board Director, United Way of Canada/Centraide Canada, 2010 – 2012
• Board Director, Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre, 2009 – 2019
• Board Director, Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners, 2006 – 2014
• Saskatchewan Learning, Student Assessment Results Expert Panel, 2005
• Board Director, St. Paul’s Hospital, 2004 – 2007
• Board Director, Queen’s House of Retreats, 2004 – 2007
• Aboriginal Education Provincial Advisory Committee, Saskatchewan Learning, 2004 – 2007
• Board Director, Canadian Education Association, 2003 – 2010
• Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Minister’s National Working Group on Education, 2002 – 2003
• Committee for the Aboriginal Voice, Canadian Teachers’ Federation, 2000 – 2002
• Board Director, Saskatoon United Way, 1999 – 2006 (President, 2005 – 2006)
• Board Director, Child Hunger in Education Program, 1999 – 2004