Sycamore Circle Lecture Series

The Sycamore Circle series of lectures was initiated in the Spring of 2004. The series consists of informal lectures and discussions meant to highlight and encourage the sharing of research on wide-ranging Native American topics.

The Circles are conducted by faculty and students (from WVU and from other campuses) and by scholars and professionals serving in relevant fields. The name of the Series draws upon the historic sycamores that are located near our Peace Tree on the downtown campus. In the words of Dr. Ellesa Clay High, who originated the series, “Historically in Appalachia, huge, old, hollow sycamores provided shelter for both Native and settler alike. And in the tradition of at least one Eastern Woodland tribe, the Cherokee, fire first came to the earth as lightning which established flames inside the bottom of a hollow sycamore. It is in a spirit of illumination that these presentations are offered. ”

Past Sycamore Circle presentations:

• Brazilian scholar Dr. Jane Brodbeck shared her research on Native American film maker Sherman Alexi and also gave comparisons between the struggles of Brazil’s indigenous peoples and those of Native peoples in the U.S.
• Counseling psychologist Dr. Shari Robinson discussed her research findings, including, “...Native Americans’ anxiety about the loss of culture contributes uniquely to their stress, which in turn impacts psychological distress.”
• Award-winning anthropologist Darla Spencer presented, “120 Years Later: A New Look at the Mound Complex of the Kanawha Valley.”
• Dr. R. Turner Goins, Associate Director for Research at the WVU Center on Aging, delivered an international videoconference on the topic, “Health and Long-term Care Needs of American Indian and Alaska Native Elders.”
• Joe Candillo (Pascua Yaqui), a cultural program coordinator, delivered an interactive, hands-on lecture on “The Enchanted Yoeme Indians of Prehistory and Today.”
• Jane Dailey, a member of Mother Earth Beat Drum, discussed changing attitudes regarding the emergence of all-women Native drums and her participation in “Balancing the Sacred Hoop,” a 2005 summer drum feast in California. Jane’s presentation was titled, “The Heartbeat of Mother Earth: Native American Women on the Drum.”
• Joshua Masse, a WVU doctoral student in clinical child psychology, shared his survey research findings in a presentation titled, “Native American Perspectives on Parenting.”