CIRI SPOTLIGHT
Aaron Leggett, CIRI History Assistant

CIRI descendant Aaron Leggett began work as CIRI’s history assistant in mid-November. In this position, Leggett provides research and editorial assistance to CIRI Historian A.J. McClanahan on various projects. Leggett’s primary responsibility is to assist with ongoing research relating to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, as well as CIRI region history.

Leggett is also assisting in the development of the annual economic report, a project of the Association of ANCSA Regional Corporation Presidents/CEOs to report the economic impact of Native corporations.

Leggett was born and raised in Anchorage and is Dena’ina Athabascan. His family is from Eklutna. He is the son of CIRI shareholder Diane Buls and the grandson of CIRI shareholder Marie Rosenberg.

Leggett began learning in-depth about his Dena’ina heritage while working at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. “When I first started there I had no idea of where it would take me,” he said. “Growing up here in town I didn’t know too much about my heritage. After working there, I became fascinated with it, and now it is my passion.”
Aaron Leggett
Aaron Leggett

An avid student of Native history, Leggett reads everything that he can get his hands on relating to Athabascan cultures. Two of his favorite books are Peter Kalifornsky’s “A Dena’ina Legacy” and “Shem Pete’s Alaska,” compiled and edited by James Kari and James A. Fall. Both books were published with assistance from The CIRI Foundation. “These books offer those like me a way to connect with our ancestors,” he said.

Leggett is in his third year at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He is working on his degree in business with a minor in Alaska Native studies. In addition to working at CIRI, he has worked at the Alaska Native Heritage Center as a cultural host and storyteller and also as the evening manager. Previously, he worked at the Alaska Railroad as a tour guide and at the Alaska Native Justice Center as an intern. In his spare time he likes to downhill ski in the winter and fish in the summer.

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