Herman Michel

Cultural Advisor

Herman Michell is a leader in the field of Indigenous education, with expertise in land-based education as well as bridging Western science and Indigenous ways of knowing. He conducts Indigenous-based professional development workshops and serves as an external consultant for the Prince Albert Grand Council. He is an advocate for the Indigenization of schools and places of higher learning in the aftermath of residential schools.   

Herman grew up on Reindeer Lake (Treaty 10 territory) and is a member of the Barren Lands First Nation. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Winnipeg, followed by a master’s degree in education from the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a PhD in education from the University of Regina. He also completed courses in education psychology and special education from UBC and the University of Manitoba.   

As a university educator, published author, researcher, consultant, lecturer, and conference speaker, Dr. Michell shares the view that land-based education is not a trend, it is a life-giving force critical to the survival of the Cree peoples. Cree culture, worldview, language, ways of knowing, stories, ceremonies, values, beliefs, and practices are rooted in the land. The land is considered a teacher and healer. Community and administrative support are required to create a rich learning environment so that youth are exposed to cultural, historical, spiritual, and place-based stories while making links with Elders, traditional land users, knowledge keepers, and local historians.