Brian is the Director for The Banff Centre’s Indigenous Leadership program area, which designs and delivers leadership development and organizational development programs and applied research for Indigenous leaders. Brian is Cree and a member of the Sucker Creek First Nation in the Treaty 8 area of northern Alberta. He is married and has two children as well as three grandsons and one granddaughter. In August, 2009 Brian received a Blackfoot name, Apahto’kii  which means pine, as in pine tree, for his community work.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Bachelor of Laws and a Master of Laws from the University of Alberta. He has taught as a sessional instructor and has published works in various academic journals and in book chapters. Brian’s research interests include Aboriginal leadership, self-government, economic development, and treaty rights. He practiced law for eight years before taking on his current role.

Brian has volunteered on a number of Boards over the years such as the Indigenous Bar Association and also served as Chair of both the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation and the Boyle Street Coop in Edmonton. Brian recently served on the Glenbow Museum Board in Calgary.