Ciara Hansen

As an Indigenous scholar, my research approach is guided by service, accountability, and the priorities of tribal communities. Rather than imposing external agendas, I focus on issues identified by Native communities themselves, ensuring that research is both meaningful and accessible to those it is intended to serve. Collaboration and respect are at the heart of my work, and I seek to foster research partnerships that are reciprocal and beneficial.

At the University of Montana, I am in the process of building a research program grounded in strength-based community-based participatory research (CBPR). My goal is to design projects that not only generate knowledge but also provide tangible service, contribute to community well-being, and uplift the voices and experiences of Native peoples.

An important part of my vision is mentoring and empowering the next generation of Native scholars. I strive to create opportunities for graduate students to engage in research that honors community knowledge, advances sovereignty, and highlights the resilience and healing inherent in tribal communities and ways of being.

By combining academic inquiry with community priorities, I aim to shift the narrative of Native peoples in western research toward one that celebrates strength, resilience, and continuity. Graduate students who join my program will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with tribal communities, develop applied and impactful research skills, and contribute to scholarship that supports Indigenous futures.