A research team that includes a St. Cloud State University professor recently received an award from an Archeological Field School. Associate professor of Anthropology Kelly Branam was one of six researchers that lead over 100 students from around the country, including 10 from SCSU on the archeological project at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area this past September.

The Rocky Mountains Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit Project Team award was given by the University of Montana for the Big Horn Canyon Archeological Field School. Students were given the opportunity to survey, map and excavate archeological sites as well as meet native elders and learn the oral history from them. Big Horn Canyon is the home to the Crow and other Plains Indians.

Branam is working on another field school that began this past summer that focuses on Tribal Preservation Officer training and provides archeological training to native students who want to preserve their historic, tribal and cultural heritage.