GEM 'Critical Issues'
International Seminar Series

2005-06 Academic Year Theme: Indigenous knowledge
for sustainable development

The acclaimed GEM Critical Issues International Seminar Series returned for its second season, and during the 2005-06 academic year featured five Native American and other indigenous speakers from overseas who addressed audiences in Stevens Point. All seminars were free and open to the public. A sixth invited speaker, Hu Huabin of the People's Republic of China, canceled for health reasons.

Native cultures have in many cases existed for centuries in a sustainable manner that preserves the resources on which they depend. Indigenous knowledge may help modern societies grapple with challenges of shrinking resources and increasing strain on the environment.

The speakers discussed sustainability from the perspective of indigenous cultures' traditional knowledge, spirituality, community and health.

Every presentation was videotaped and made available on this website. View a booklet highlighting the series in PDF format here.

The inaugural season of the GEM Critical Issues Seminar Series in 2004-2005 featured six international speakers who addressed global security from an environmental perspective. Click here to view or download a booklet, in PDF format, highlighting that series. Click here for links to videos of 2004-2005 speakers.

Hosted by:

UW-Stevens Point Global Environmental Management Education Center (GEM) in the Melvin R. Laird Room - UWSP University Center.

Sponsored by:

GEM through grants from UW System Institute for Race and Ethnicity, USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005 at 7:00p.m.

Native American Spirituality and Sustainability

Joe Rose, Associate Professor and Director of Native American Studies at Northland College, WI. Rose is a member of the Bad River band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa (Ojibwe) nation.

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005 at 7:00p.m.

Greening Construction

Laura Manthe, Oneida Sustainable Community Project: Working toward change in a Tribal Community

Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2005 at 7:00p.m.

*Seminar Cancelled*

Ethnoecological knowledge and sustainable mountain resource management by indigenous cultures in Yunnan, China.

Hu Huabin, Professor, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, People's Republic of China

Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 at 7:00p.m.

Use of Indigenous Plants in Sustaining Health and Livelihood in Africa

Samuel Kariuki, PhD, Professor of Botany and University Botanical Garden Coordinator, Egerton University, Njoro, Kenya

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006 at 7:00p.m.

Native Wisdom for Living in Balance with the Earth

Ed McGaa, J.D., Decorated Marine fighter pilot, author of Nature's Way and other books, and member of Oglala Sioux nation.

Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2006 at 7:00p.m.

Sustaining livelihoods and culture of rural Mayan communities in Guatemala

Domingo Perez Bernal, Coordinator of Sustainable Economic Growth, Agros International, Guatemala