Who is Kent Nerburn from Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder and what is their importance?

Kent Nerburn is the name of the author and narrator of this book. Nerburn wrote other books under the name "Red Road" about Indian history years earlier. He agreed to come "soon" to the reservation but had misgivings about driving that far to meet a stranger who just wanted to talk. Nerburn had a wife and family and the trip took a lot of time, and it was expensive to stay in motel rooms. Nerburn agreed, however, because he wanted to help the people of Red Lake "retain the goodness" in their world. Nerburn read, reviewed and edited some of the papers, notes and clippings Dan sent home with him. When Nerburn returned months later, the old man told Nerburn to read one called Black Kettle. Dan had Nerburn read it again and then come back the next day with tobacco. On a return visit, Nerburn saw Dan burning all the notes he read for this book. Dan's friend Grover agreed Nerburn would learn more by listening to Dan than reading his old notes.