Honorary Chair
Victor Douville, PhD
Victor’s dedication to education extended beyond traditional classrooms, as he attended the Indian Management Institute at Idaho State University, earning credits in Community Development and Tribal Government. Throughout the years, he held various positions, including Education Coordinator for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Community Action Program and teaching roles at St. Francis Mission and Sinte Gleska University (SGU). Victor played a pivotal role in developing Lakota Studies programs at SGU, creating associate and bachelor’s degree programs, as well as a master’s program in Lakota History and Culture. His contributions to Lakota education and culture go beyond the classroom, as evidenced by his involvement in numerous committees, museums, and cultural resource management projects.
Victor’s extensive publications, including Lakota language textbooks and monographs on Lakota history, showcase his dedication to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of the Lakota people. In addition to his academic achievements, Victor Douville has actively participated in legislative and resolution drafting for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. His memberships in professional organizations and numerous awards and honors, such as the 25-Year Service Award from SGU, highlight his significant impact and leadership in the field of Lakota education and cultural preservation.
Photo by Binesikwe Means of the Global Press Journal
Chair of Native Science
Greg Cajete, PhD
He worked at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 21 years. While at the Institute, he served as Dean of the Center for Research and Cultural Exchange, Chair of Native American Studies and Professor of Ethno- Science. He is the former Director of Native American Studies (18 years) and is Professor Emeritus in the Division of Language, Literacy and Socio Cultural Studies in the College of Education at the University of New Mexico. In addition, he has lectured at colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Russia, Taiwan, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, England, France and Germany.
Dr. Cajete has authored 10 books: “Look to the Mountain: An Ecology of Indigenous Education,” (Kivaki Press, 1994); “Ignite the Sparkle: An Indigenous Science Education Curriculum Model”, (Kivaki Press, 1999); “Spirit of the Game: Indigenous Wellsprings (2004),” “A People’s Ecology: Explorations in Sustainable Living,” and “Native Science: Natural Laws of Interdependence” (Clear Light Publishers, 1999 and 2000). “Critical Neurophilosophy and Indigenous Wisdom,” Don Jacobs (Four Arrows), Gregory Cajete and Jongmin Lee) Sense Publishers, 2010. “Indigenous Community: Teachings of the Seventh Fire,” (Living Justice Press, 2015). His most recent books are edited volumes entitled: “Native Minds Rising” and “Sacred Journeys” (John Charlton Publications, 2020). Dr. Cajete also has chapters in 36 other books along with numerous articles and over 350 national and international presentations.
Organizing Chairs
Chris Armatas, PhD
Research Social Scientist at Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, RMRS, U.S. Forest Service
Steve Carver, PhD
Geographer, Director of Wildland Research, Professor of Rewilding and Wilderness Science at University of Leeds
Bob Dvorak, PhD
Professor in the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Administration at Central Michigan University
Zdenka Křenová, PhD
University Teacher at Charles University in Prague
In years 2004-2010, she worked for the Šumava National Park Administration as a Head of Department of Research and Nature Protection and has served as Deputy Director of NP from May 2007. Currently, she is a head of Department of Biodiversity, Global Change Research Institute, Czech Academy of Science. Her research is focused on conservation biology, biodiversity and climate change, management of protected areas and rare species. She is a Natura 2000 expert and interested in wilderness conservation and management.
She is teaching several conservation biology courses at the Charles University in Prague and the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice.
Vicki Sahanatien, PhD
Knowledge and Research Manager, Lands and Resources, Mushkegowuk Council
Fernando Sanchez, PhD
Director of the Elouise Cobell Land & Culture Institute, Assistant Professor at the University of Montana
Jason Taylor, PhD
Landscape Ecologist and Director of the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute
Symposium Proceeding Chairs
Tina Tin, PhD
Environmental Consultant living in France
Bob Dvorak, PhD
Professor in the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Administration at Central Michigan University
Chris Armatas, PhD
Research Social Scientist at Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, RMRS, U.S. Forest Service