Rooted in the Mountains
Rooted in the Mountains 2026
This Year's Topic: Indigenous Perceptions of Hope
September 24th & September 25th, 2026
Please note: Beginning this year, all registrations that were complimentary for Panelists, Tribal
Elders and 蘑菇短视频Faculty/Staff will be charged a $10 registration fee ($5 per day) to
help offset the cost of coffee and refreshment service during the conference.
Registration fees for all other attendees remain unchanged: Regular Registration is $175, and Non-蘑菇短视频Student Registration is $50. Please select the registration category that best applies to you.
During registration, all attendee categories will have the option to purchase a boxed lunch for Thursday only.
Meet Our Keynote Speaker - Dr. Kyle Whyte
Kyle is a professor at the University of Michigan whose work focuses on environmental
justice, climate change, and Indigenous knowledge, with appointments across environmental
studies, diversity initiatives, philosophy, and Native American Studies. An enrolled
member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, he teaches and leads major interdisciplinary
programs and research centers addressing climate justice, conservation, and equitable
relationships between Indigenous communities and scientific institutions.
He is widely published and has served on prominent national and international scientific
and policy bodies including IPBES, the National Academy of Sciences, and U.S. federal
advisory councils, and has contributed to major climate and environmental assessments.
His work is supported by extensive public and philanthropic funding, grounded in long-term
partnerships with Indigenous organizations worldwide, and recognized through numerous
teaching, research, and community engagement awards, as well as hundreds of invited
lectures and visiting professorships globally.
Tentative Schedule:
Day 1 (September 24):
8:30-9:00 鈥� Check-In
9:00-9:30 鈥� Rooted in the Mountains Video, Welcome and Announcements
- Chancellor Kelli R. Brown, Provost Richard Starnes, Denise Drury Homewood (Executive
Director, Bardo Arts Center, WCU), Dr. Lisa Lefler (Director, Culturally-Based Native
Health, WCU), Roseanna Belt (EBCI, Retired WCU)
9:30-10:30 鈥� Introduction of Theme: HOPE
- Cherokee Elders Dr. Tom Belt (Cherokee Nation), Mary Thompson, Chair of the EarthKeepers
(EBCI)
10:30-10:45 鈥� Break
10:45-12:00 鈥� Panel 1: EarthKeepers 鈥淗ope鈥� in action
- Moderator: Mary Thompson (EBCI)
12:00-1:00 鈥� Lunch (on your own or boxed lunches, if purchased during registration)
1:00-2:00 鈥� Keynote: Dr. Kyle Whyte (Potawatomi; George Willis Pack Professor, University of Michigan)
2:00-3:00 鈥� Panel 2: Integrated Health Systems of EBCI
- Casey Cooper (EBCI; CEO, Cherokee Indian Hospital) & Dr. Frieda Saylor (EBCI; Director,
Behavioral Health)
- Moderator: Vickie Bradley (EBCI)
3:00-3:15 鈥� Break
3:15-4:15 鈥� Panel 3: Hurricane Helene and Hope
- Moderator: Dr. Georgia Ennis (Anthropology and Sociology, WCU), Tommy Cabe (EBCI;
Tribal Natural Resources Deptartment)
4:15-4:30 鈥� Closing
4:30-6:00 鈥� Dinner (on your own)
6:00 鈥� Film and Discussion
- Loren Waters and Brenda Pipestem (EBCI)
Day 2 (September 25):
8:30-9:00 鈥� Check-In
9:00-9:30 鈥� Welcome and Introductions
- Dr. Lisa Lefler (Culturally-Based Native Health, WCU), Dr. Lori Anderson (Dean,
College of Health and Human Sciences, WCU), Peter Koch (Interim Director, 蘑菇短视频Mountain
Heritage Center)
- Honoring of elder Mary Thompson (EBCI)
9:30-10:30 鈥� Panel 4: Katsi Cook & Akwesasne Women
10:30-10:45 鈥� Break
10:45-11:45 鈥� Panel 5: Teaching Intergenerational Stewardship
- Katie Tiger (Choctaw), Yolanda Saunooke (EBCI), Keahana Lambert (EBCI) & Avery
Maples (EBCI)
11:45-1:00 鈥� Lunch (on your own)
1:00-2:00 鈥� Hope of Upcoming Generations Judaculla鈥檚 Kids
- Katie Tiger (Choctaw; Program Director, Center for Native Health) & Malia Crowe-Skulski
(EBCI)
2:00-3:00 鈥� Panel 6: Hope of Upcoming Generations: Daughters of NIAWA and the Longperson Resolution
- Moderator: Kim Smith (EBCI)
3:00-3:15 鈥� Break
3:15-4:00 鈥� Closing: Reflection on Theme
- Dr. Trey Adcock (Cherokee Nation; Executive Director, Center for Native Health),
Bonnie Claxton (Chickasaw Nation; Deputy Director, Center for Native Health), Dr.
Lisa Lefler (Director, Culturally-Based Native Health, WCU)
Conference Supporters:
This conference would not be possible without the generous financial support of the organizations recognized below. Thank you for helping make this event a success.
- The Center for Native Health
- EBCI Natural Resources Department
- Office of the Chancellor, WCU
- College of Health & Human Sciences, WCU
- Cherokee Center, WCU
- Dr. Brett Riggs, Sequoyah Distinguished Professor, WCU
