Dawn Elizabeth Hardison-Stevens, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Native American Education at the University of Washington Tacoma whose teaching is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, relationality, storytelling, and land-based learning, honoring her grandmothers and grandfathers of Omushkeg Cree, Métis, Ojibway, Cowlitz, Steilacoom, Scottish, and Northern Sweden. Her instructional approach engages learners through the inherent senses of sight, touch, sound, smell, taste, voice, and intuition, guided by the wisdom and presence of Ancestors. By inviting learners into meaningful relationships with the land, she creates opportunities for experiential learning that deepens connections to self, community, and place.
A strong advocate for Indigenous representation, Dr. Hardison-Stevens weaves intergenerational knowledge and storytelling across disciplines, including science, leadership, social wellness, teacher preparation, and Indigenous education. Her courses incorporate silent walks on the land, encouraging students to learn directly from seasonal transitions, forest ecosystems, flowing waters, and other more-than-human relatives. Through these experiences, learners reflect on leadership, healing, reciprocity, and responsibility while recognizing the land as a living teacher. Her work inspires educators and communities to reimagine learning through relationships that honor Indigenous knowledge, community, and the enduring wisdom of the natural world.