Dr. Martina Whelshula is a nationally recognized expert in Indigenous education, mental health, and trauma-informed practices. She integrates Indigenous worldviews with cutting-edge research in the neurobiology of trauma to create healing-centered approaches for Native youth and families.

She specializes in the impacts of intergenerational colonial trauma on student behavior — particularly how trauma manifests as "acting out" in school settings. Dr. Whelshula trains educators to move beyond punitive discipline to trauma-responsive interventions that support Native and neurodivergent students, including those with ADHD and Autism.

As Principal Investigator on federally funded research projects, she collaborates with Harvard Medical School's Division on Addiction to develop evidence-based solutions for addiction recovery, mental health, and educational equity in Native communities. Previously, she served as Executive Director of the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations, leading nationally recognized innovations in adolescent behavioral health, and as President of Spokane Tribal College.

Dr. Whelshula's work spans policy development, curriculum design, and culturally grounded intervention strategies for students P–20. A lifelong advocate for equity in education, she was appointed by the Washington State Governor to the P-20 Council and confirmed by the state Senate as a Trustee for Evergreen State College.