Registration open for WCU's 16th annual Rooted in the Mountains Symposium
蘑菇短视频 invites faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members to register for the 16th Annual Rooted in the Mountains Symposium, taking place September 24-25, 2026, at the Bardo Arts Center on WCU's main campus.
This year's theme, "Indigenous Perceptions of Hope," will explore how Indigenous knowledge systems, cultural traditions, and community relationships offer meaningful perspectives on resilience, healing, and the future.
For 16 years, Rooted in the Mountains has served as a unique interdisciplinary forum dedicated to raising awareness about the connections among health, environment, traditional knowledge, and Indigenous worldviews. The symposium provides participants with opportunities to engage in thoughtful conversations about the interconnectedness of people, communities, and the natural world while learning from Indigenous scholars, leaders, and community members.
This year's keynote speaker is Kyle Whyte, an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and the George Willis Pack Professor at the University of Michigan. An internationally recognized scholar, Whyte's work focuses on environmental justice, climate change, Indigenous knowledge, and building equitable relationships between Indigenous communities and scientific institutions. He has contributed to national and international environmental policy efforts and is widely respected for his work advancing climate justice and Indigenous perspectives.
The two-day symposium will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, community conversations, and cultural programming centered on the theme of hope. Tentative sessions include discussions led by Cherokee elders, presentations from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' EarthKeepers program, conversations about integrated health systems, and reflections on community resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Participants will also have the opportunity to engage with Indigenous perspectives on environmental stewardship, health, and cultural continuity.
The symposium welcomes participants from a wide range of disciplines and backgrounds, including education, healthcare, environmental studies, public service, tribal communities, and nonprofit organizations. Whether attendees are new to Indigenous scholarship or have participated in previous symposiums, the event offers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and engage in conversations that are increasingly important in today's world.