Ishbinnaache Chikituuk: An Examination of a Crow War Shield at the Chicago Field Museum by Aaron Brien (Sponsored by the Greater Yellowstone Coalition). In 1903 the Chicago Field Museum collected crow war shields and few people have seen them since then. From the time of their absence, much knowledge of the crow shields has been lost. The point of this study is to examine and collect ethnography information to preserve the history of this little know Apsaalooke aspect. This study was completed by exploring existing ethnography and archival data, and interviewing several knowledgeable Apsaalooke elders. Brien has had the honor of viewing the shields on a number of occasions. In this presentation you will learn the importance and ritual use of the shields, and a view of the complex spiritual understanding of the Apsaalooke. Aaron Brien is a member of the Apsáalooke Nation, Big Lodge Clan, and child of the Whistling Water & Big Lodge Clan. He also is a member of the NightHawk Dance Society, his Apsaalooke name is Bachiakuashdaa/Goes To The Middle Of War. He was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, and was raised on the Crow Reservation’s Center Lodge (Reno) District. Brien 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 Indigenous Research Center at Salish Kootenai College. He lives with his wife and three kids in Arlee, Montana.
