ABOUT OUR LOGO

Dr. Shelly Valdez
Kuwaasz dawe’szda 

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 in my Pueblo community, I was shaped by strong cultural values and teachings, especially those passed down by my parents. My father, in particular, mentored me in ways no classroom could, grounding my journey in cultural knowledge and community values.

While my experience with Western education was bittersweet, it ultimately led me to bridge Indigenous and Western knowledge systems. 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, focusing on Indigenous science education.

With over 35 years of experience, I lead Native Pathways, a consulting firm centering Indigenous worldviews in science education. I co-direct YAKANAL, a grassroots program fostering cultural exchange among Indigenous youth and elders across the U.S. Southwest and Latin America. My work is deeply connected to land, culture, and lifelong learning. I am also an actor represented by Mitchell Talent Agency, with credits including Into the West and 1000 Roads Traveled. I honor my mother’s legacy through pottery-making, sharing stories of place and tradition.

My family and I manage the Robert and Lucille Valdez Scholarship Fund, supporting Indigenous students in higher education and vocational training, with a focus on cultural preservation and community leadership.