Gordon Williams is from the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba. He attended school on the reserve until grade 8 and was later sent to the Birtle Indian Residential School west of Winnipeg from 1957 to 1961. Gordon obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Winnipeg in 1965, and later a Master's degree from McGill University in Montreal in 1968. Gordon has served as resident Elder for the Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada until recently and has also worked with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to provide specific advisory services. Gordon's wife is a member of the Turtle Clan from Kahnawake Mohawk territory; they have two children who are also committed to obtaining the professional degrees in their university training.