About AIGPI
AIGPI is an Indigenous-founded, and Indigenous-led research institute and think tank supported by its certification under the Montana Board of Regents. Founded in 2020 by Heather Cahoon (Upper Kalispel/Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), envisioned this institute as a resource providing Tribal leaders with the same level of policy research, analysis, and legal expertise provided to state and federal policymakers. Now led by Kristina Lucero (Tseycum band of the WSÁNEĆ nation), aspires to strengthen relationships with Tribal communities to amplify culturally-appropriate responses that support Tribal governments, economies, and communities.
Addressing the challenges federal Indian policy created for Indigenous communities with a cultural lens and response creates opportunities for healing and overcoming disparities marked in Western systems. With sovereignty as the North star, AIGPI supports Tribal governments in navigating the evolving political landscape to ensure Tribal voices are contributing to the policymaking that impact Indigenous peoples. Our research also educates local, state, and federal actors to support Tribal consultation and relationship-building and how their role can uphold sovereignty and chip away at the disparities created by their systems.
Advisory Council
The AIGPI Advisory Council is made up of a diverse group of stakeholders and thought leaders who guide the institute's research agenda. Nearly half of the council members hold permanent seats linked to specific tribal stakeholders, ensuring the work remains relevant and responsive to the needs of tribal communities.
Bryce Kirk - Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes
- Permanent Seat: Chair, Board of Directors, Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council
- Tribal Executive Board, Fort Peck Tribes
Bryce serves as Chair of the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council and has testified on issues like the fentanyl crisis affecting Indian Country. He’s committed to addressing inequities faced by his community due to gaps in federal Indian policy.
Cory Sangrey-Billy - Chippewa Cree
- Permanent Seat: Chair, Montana Tribal College Presidents Association
- President, Stone Child College
Cory has over 20 years of experience in Tribal higher education and has been instrumental in developing educational programs at Stone Child College. She actively works to preserve Chippewa Cree language and culture.
Misty Kuhl - A’aniiih, Fort Belknap Indian Community
- Permanent Seat: Director, Montana Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs
Misty leads the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs and has extensive experience in Native American outreach, business, and leadership.
Kekek Stark - Turtle Mountain Ojibwe
- Permanent Seat: Director, Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic
Kekek is a Professor of Law at the University of Montana and a member of the Turtle Mountain Ojibwe Tribe. He has served as an attorney and policy analyst for multiple tribes and is a strong advocate for strengthening tribal sovereignty.
Vernon Grant - Blackfeet
- Assistant Research Professor, Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity, Montana State University
Vernon’s research focuses on health disparities and community health in American Indian populations, with recent projects on obesity, diabetes, and sleep health in Native families.
Michael Lipsky
- Distinguished Senior Fellow, Demos
Michael’s work on public policy delivery through “street level bureaucrats” has shaped governance and public policy improvements. He has held leadership roles at the Ford Foundation and the International Budget Partnership.
Casey Winn Lozar - Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
- Vice President, Center for Indian Country Development, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Casey is responsible for the CICD’s work, focusing on Native economic development and early childhood education. He has a strong background in economic development, having worked in both government and nonprofit sectors.
Gail Small - Northern Cheyenne
- Executive Director, Native Action
Gail has been a trailblazer in environmental and justice policy, advocating for tribal sovereignty and law. She founded Native Action and was inducted into the Montana Outdoor Hall of Fame for her efforts to protect Indian Country’s environmental heritage.
Tressie White - Turtle Mountain Chippewa/Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree
- Program Director, Montana Healthcare Foundation
Tressie directs American Indian health initiatives at the Montana Healthcare Foundation, focusing on reducing health disparities for American Indians in Montana.
Patrick Yawakie - Zuni Pueblo/Turtle Mountain Anishinaabe/White Bear Nakota
- Political Director, Indigenous Vote
Patrick is focused on Native Get-Out-the-Vote efforts, treaty rights, and sovereignty. He works to increase political engagement and advocate for voting rights in Native communities.
Jon Swan - Chippewa Cree
- Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group
Jon has worked on tribal banking regulations and economic development. He’s a leader at BCG and founded Indigenous@BCG to enhance Indigenous representation in business and leadership.
Core Affiliates
Heather Cahoon, PhD - Upper Kalispel/Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
- Founder
- Assistant Professor, Native American Studies
- Heather is the founder of AIGPI and an Assistant Professor in Native American Studies. Her expertise and leadership are instrumental in driving the institute’s mission to empower tribal communities through research and policy analysis.
Kristina Lucero, JD - W̱SĺḴEM, Saanich First Nations
- Director
- Kristina is the Director of AIGPI. With her background in law, she plays a key role in shaping the institute's work, ensuring that AIGPI's research and initiatives are led and shaped by Indigenous communities.
Jason Newcomer
- Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations
- UM Foundation
Jason works with the University of Montana Foundation, focusing on building partnerships and securing support for AIGPI’s mission. His efforts ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the institute’s work.
Affiliated Faculty
Heather Cahoon, PhD - Upper Kalispel/Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
- Associate Professor, Native American Studies (UM)
- Focus: Tribal sovereignty, self-governing rights, health, social determinants of health, and justice issues in Indian Country.
Michael Cassens
Associate Professor: Game Programming, Mobile Application Programming, Educational research, Outreach projects
Damian Chase-Begay, PhD, MS - Mandan/Arikara
- Research Associate Professor, Public Health (UM)
- Focus: Indigenous health, social epidemiology, health policy, and implementation science.
Vernon Grant, PhD - Blackfeet
- Assistant Research Professor, Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity (MSU)
- Focus: Obesity, sleep, and physical activity in Native American populations, especially youth.
Kekek Stark, JD - Turtle Mountain Ojibwe
- Assistant Professor, Law (UM)
- Co-Director, Indian Law Program & Margery Hunter Brown Indian Law Clinic
- Focus: Tribal law, federal Indian law, treaty law, and tribal natural resource law.
Christina Barsky, PhD, MPA
- Assistant Professor, Public Administration and Policy (UM)
- Focus: State and local government, poverty policy, public budgeting, election administration, and community development.
Pippa Browde, JD
- Professor, Law (UM)
- Focus: Multi-jurisdictional taxation between states and tribes, state/tribal tax revenue sharing, and economic development in Indian Country.
Blakely Brown, PhD
- Professor, Health and Human Performance (UM)
- Focus: Health disparities, food sovereignty, obesity prevention, maternal-child health, and participatory research in Native American communities.
Wade Davis, PhD
- Professor, Native American Studies and History (UM)
- Focus: 19th-20th century Native history, Native health care, and research methods in Native history and law.
S. Neyooxet Greymorning, PhD - Northern Arapaho
- Professor, Native American Studies and Anthropology (UM)
- Focus: Indigenous sovereignty, contemporary Native issues, and Native American language restoration.
Jordan Gross, JD
- Professor, Law (UM)
- Focus: Criminal jurisdiction in Indian Country, tribal court procedures, legal ethics, and international comparative criminal procedure.
Neha A. John-Henderson, PhD
- Assistant Professor, Psychology (MSU)
- Director, Stress, Adversity, Resilience and Health Lab
- Focus: Psychological stress, historical trauma, adversity, and health.
Mizuki Miyashita, PhD
- Professor of Linguistics (UM)
- Focus: Community-based research in Native American linguistics, language documentation, and revitalization.
Twila Old Coyote, MS - Crow, White Clay
- Director, SEA Change (UM)
- Focus: Youth academic achievement gaps.
Vanessa Simonds, PhD - Crow, Blackfeet
- Associate Professor, Department of Health and Human Development (MSU)
- Focus: Health literacy, Indigenous health, and participatory research.
Ashley Trautman, MSW, JD
- Associate Professor and Chair, School of Social Work (UM)
- Focus: Trauma-informed systems of care, youth mental health, and anti-racist & decolonizing policy and practice.
Laurie A Walker, PhD, MSW
- Assistant Teaching Professor, Native American Studies (MSU)
- Focus: Student Experiences of the Indian Education for All Program and the Incarceration of Native American Women