Rooted in the Mountains

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Save the Date for Rooted in the Mountains 2026

This year's topic: Hope as we Focus on Environment and Health

Thursday, September 24th & Friday, September 25th.

Meet our keynote speakers

Dr. Kyle Whyte

Photo of 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.

Dr. Suzanne Simard

Suzanne Simard is a professor of forest ecology in the Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Stewardship at the University of British Columbia, where she researches forest ecology, mycorrhizal networks, plant and soil interactions, and forest resilience in the context of climate change. She is internationally recognized for pioneering research demonstrating that trees are connected underground through fungal networks that facilitate the exchange of carbon, nutrients, water, and signals, and for identifying the ecological importance of large hub trees known as mother trees. Simard is the founder and leader of the Mother Tree Project, a long running research and outreach initiative that studies how forest management practices affect regeneration and resilience and integrates Indigenous knowledge with ecological science to support sustainable forestry. She has published extensively, authored the book Finding the Mother Tree, received numerous scientific, teaching, and literary awards, and is widely known for public scholarship and science communication that has influenced forestry practices, conservation policy, and global understanding of forest ecosystems

Tenative 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 Brown, Provost Richard Starnes, Dr. Lisa Lefler (Culturally-Based Native Health, 星空传媒), Dr. Mae Claxton (English Professor, 星空传媒)
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� Keynote: Dr. Kyle Whyte (Pottawatomie; George Willis Pack Professor, University of Michigan)
12:00-1:00 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;尝耻苍肠丑
1:00-2:00 鈥� Panel 1: EarthKeepers 鈥淗ope鈥� in action
- Moderator: Tommy Cabe (EBCI)
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: Health/Wellbeing
- Yolanda Saunooke (EBCI), Mothertown reps, Out of Darkness rep
4:15-4:30 鈥� Closing
4:30-6:00 鈥� Dinner on your own
6:00 鈥� Film and Discussion
- Laura Waters

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, 星空传媒), Dr. Lori Anderson (Dean, College of Health and Human Sciences, 星空传媒), Peter Koch (Interim Director, 星空传媒 Mountain Heritage Center)
- Honoring of elder Mary Thompson (EBCI)
9:30-10:30 鈥� Keynote: Dr. Suzanne Simard (Professor, The University of British Columbia)
10:30-10:45 鈥� Break
10:45-11:45 鈥� Panel 4: Teaching Intergenerational Stewardship
- Katie Tiger (Choctaw) & Yolanda Saunooke (EBCI)
11:45-1:00 鈥� Lunch (on your own) 鈥� maybe get a food truck
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 5: Hope of Upcoming Generations: Daughters of NIAWA and the Longperson Resolution
3:00-3:15 鈥� Break
3:15-4:00 鈥� Closing: Reflection on Theme
- Dr. Tray Adcock (Cherokee Nation; Executive Director, Center for Native Health), Bonnie Claxton Adcock (Chickasaw Nation; Executive Director, Center for Native Health), Dr. Lisa Lefler (Culturally-Based Native Health, 星空传媒)