Leilani Sabzalian

Dr. Leilani Sabzalian (Alutiiq) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Oregon within the College of Education and Critical and Sociocultural Studies in Education department. She co-directs the Sapsik'wala Teacher Education Program and serves on Oregon's American Indian/Alaska Native State Advisory Committee.

• Education:
  • PhD in Critical and Sociocultural Studies (2015)
  • MEd in Educational Leadership (2003)
  • BA in Educational Studies (2002)

Her research focuses on:

• Indigenous education
• Native feminist theories
• Curriculum studies
• Teacher training for anticolonial practice
• Elementary social studies reforms

She has published extensively on decolonizing K-12 curricula, including her 2020 Outstanding Book Award (AERA) and 2019 book Indigenous Children's Survivance in Public Schools. Her recent Google Scholar articles (2025-2023) explore:

• Indigenous futurities in curriculum
• Relational knowledge systems
• Language revitalization in education
• Colonial dynamics in outdoor learning

Selected scientific awards:

• 2021 Williams Council Fellowship
• 2020 AERA Outstanding Book Award
• 2019 Oregon Indigenous Educator of the Year
• Multiple dissertation and publishing fellowships

As an advisor, she mentors students through:

• The Sapsik'wala Program
• Collaborative projects with Oregon's Office of Indian Education
• Professional development for implementing Tribal History/Shared History curriculum