My Indigenous name is Kuwaasz dawe’szda, and my English name is Shelly Valdez.
I am an enrolled tribal member of the Pueblo of Laguna in New Mexico and of Hispanic descent. Raised within the Pueblo, I was surrounded by a strong, community-based upbringing that deeply influenced my worldview.

My journey through Western education was bittersweet. The most meaningful lessons came from my parents, especially my father, who mentored me in ways no classroom could. These culturally grounded experiences shaped my academic path, connecting Western science with our Pueblo worldview, where education is more than a system—it is a way of life rooted in cultural knowledge and community. I hold a B.A. in Elementary Education (1988) and an M.A. in Bilingual Education (1991) from the College of Santa Fe, and a Ph.D. in Multicultural Teacher Education (2001) from the University of New Mexico, where I focused on Indigenous science education.

With over 35 years of experience, I lead Native Pathways, a consulting firm that centers Indigenous worldviews in science education. My work is guided by a deep connection to land, culture, and lifelong learning. I’ve shared my knowledge internationally, co-authored research, and served on numerous advisory boards and councils. Since 2011, I’ve co-directed YAKANAL, a grassroots program connecting Indigenous youth and elders across the U.S. Southwest and Latin America through immersive cultural exchanges. These exchanges support food sovereignty, nurture identity, and promote leadership. 

I also have a background in film, represented by Mitchell Talent Agency, and have appeared in productions including 1000 Roads Traveled (Smithsonian), Into the West (Spielberg Productions), In Plain Sight (Universal Studios), and A Thief of Time (Granada Films). In 1985, I was honored as New Mexico’s first Miss Indian World. Thanks to my late mother, Lucille Valdez, I’ve inherited the art of pottery-making, which I now use to illustrate the core values of my work through a "Science of Place."

Shelly, along with her family members, manages the Robert and Lucille Valdez Scholarship Fund, which is dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders by providing financial support to Indigenous youth to help them pursue higher education and vocational training. The Fund is rooted in a commitment to equity and cultural preservation and prioritizes students who demonstrate a strong connection to their heritage, leadership potential, and a desire to give back to their communities.