LOA Speaker Series: Aaron Brien

Aaron Brien (Apsáalooke) is a member of the Big Lodge Clan, Night Hawk Dance Society and child of the Whistling Water & Big Lodge Clan. He was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, and was raised on the Crow Reservation’s Center Lodge (Reno) District. He studied at Salish Kootenai College and the University of Montana as an undergraduate and earned a master’s degree from the University of Montana’s Department of Anthropology. He currently serves as Native American Studies: Tribal Historic Preservation Faculty and Research Coordinator for the Indigenous Research Center at Salish Kootenai College. His early contributions to cultural heritage emphasize Indigenous approaches to archaeological documentation and interpretation. His work represents the future of Indigenous cultural heritage management, and he is helping teach the next generation of archaeologists the importance of incorporating tribal perspectives into resource management.

He also hosts the Tribal Research Specialist podcast. The show includes discussions on matters important in Indian Country, including reclaiming research traditions, highlighting Tribal values and bringing to the forefront issue and current state of affairs in Tribal communities. We aim to uncover the meaning of research methodological approaches that are currently operating in Tribal lifeways with implication for Tribal communities and avenues for knowledge production.