Stevens, Dr. Nancy
PhD (Trent University); MEd (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education - University of Toronto); BA (University of Waterloo)
Biography
Nancy Stevens completed her PhD in Indigenous Studies at Trent University, her MEd in Adult Education – Indigenous Specialization at OISE/University of Toronto, and her BA in Social Development Studies – Social Work stream through the University of Waterloo.
Nancy spent most of her career as a counsellor and program coordinator with Indigenous mental health and women’s services in Ontario and the Yukon Territory. Concurrently, she taught as a part-time post-secondary instructor in Indigenous social work and human service programs. As a woman of Kaien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) and European descent, and as an adoptee, Nancy has a deep interest in the intersections of identity, trauma, and healing. She did not grow up connected to her ancestral culture, but through her role as a helper and through her education, she has been heavily influenced by Anishinaabe teachings and practices.
Research and Expertise
Nancy’s research maintains the thread of her focus as a counsellor in Indigenous services and the issues that emerge, not only for those seeking help, but also for the helpers. Questions around ethics and the context of differences in worldviews and the importance of ensuring Indigenous clients of mainstream helping services are receiving culturally safe and appropriate care are some of her areas of research. She also has an extensive background in curriculum, workshop and training development and facilitation for front-line community workers, educators, and administrators.
- First Nations
- Indigenous Health
- Indigenous Peoples
- Social Work
- English
Selected Publications
Articles
Ariss, R. and Stevens, N. (2022). Planting Seeds Through Indigenous Pedagogy: Picking up the Reconciliation Bundle in the Academy. Canadian Journal of Native Studies, 41(1). P. 79-104.
Charles, R., Snyder, L. and Stevens, N. (2018). Giidosendiwag (We Walk Together): Creating Culturally-Based Supports for Urban Indigenous Youth in Care. Journal of Law and Social Justice, 28(1). P. 101-131.
Stevens, N. (2010). From the Inside Out: Spirituality as the Heart of Aboriginal Helping in (spite of?) Western Systems Native Social Work Journal, 7. P. 181-197.
Book chapters
Stevens, N. & Charles, Z. (2025). Giidosendiwag: Walking Together with Indigenous Youth in Care. In Susan Strega, Jeannine Carriere, Gwen Gosek and Michele Fairbairn (Eds.). Walking this path: Anti-racist and anti-oppressive child welfare practice, 3rd Edition. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.
Stevens, N. (2020). The Roots of Life and Wellness: Healing Anishinaabe Identity Through Ceremony and Culture. In Decolonizing Mental Health: Embracing Indigenous Multi-Dimensional Balance, J. Charlton (Ed.). Vernon, BC: J. Charlton Publishing.
Electronic documents and multimedia productions
2025 First Peoples Wellness Circle – Culturally-Based Crisis/Critical Incident Debriefing Training Module.
2022 – 2024 First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework Orientation Manual. Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, First Peoples Wellness Circle, and the Assembly of First Nations.
2021 Workplace Well-Being Curriculum Manuals – Trainer’s Facilitation Manual; Participants’ Manual. First Peoples Wellness Circle, Nipissing First Nation, Ontario.
2021 Module 12 – Introduction to Decolonizing the Academy. Developed as an online module for the orientation of upper administrators in the post-secondary sector. Ontario Tech University and Durham College
2019 Indigenous Families, Colonial Disruptions, & Clinical Issues – staff training manual and facilitation guide. Mawiomi Treatment Centre, Gesgapegiag, Quebec
2012 Introduction for Compendium of Promising Practices to Reduce Violence and Increase Safety of Aboriginal Women in Canada. https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/fv-vf/comp-recu/p5.html
Other reports
Stevens, N. and Nagy, R. (2025). Indigenous survivors, sexual assault services and bridging cultures: A case study. Final Report to Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services.
Stevens, N. and Nagy, R. (2023). Visioning Our Healing: Final Report. Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services.
Non-refereed articles
St. Germaine, J. and Stevens, N. (2003). Using the Gifts of the Trickster: Balancing Self in the Helping Field. Native Social Work Journal, 5. P. 155-171.