On Sept. 12, the College of Public Health hosted their Environmental Sustainability of Native American Lands: The Navajo Experience seminar in the Ballroom at the Brinkley Center from 6 — 8 p.m. as part of their Leading Voices in Public Health Lecture series. The presentation was led by Dr. Tommy Rock, a member of the Navajo Nation from Monument Valley, Utah, who brings a unique perspective to integrating health, environment and cultural awareness.

The Leading Voices in Public Health Lecture series began in 2007. Since then, more than 100 presenters from different professions have provided a variety of perspectives on health issues. Dean of the College of Public Health Dr. Randy Wykoff has overseen the series since the beginning. He has worked with the college to bring in a diverse range of speakers including academics, researchers, politicians, entertainers and two sergeant generals to speak on their outlooks.

“The whole idea is that we want people to come in and challenge us to think about health issues in a different way,” Wykoff said.

As part of those who have experienced environmental crises firsthand, Dr. Tommy Rock brings his perspective to shine light on environmental threats towards tribal lands, specifically the Navajo. Advocating for ecological awareness, Wykoff mentioned the issues Appalachia has faced and is facing surrounding coal, deforestation and water systems, and what communities can take away from these circumstances.

(Contributed/ETSU)

“I’m hoping that we’ll learn not only what has happened in the Navajo nation, but also what we can learn from that,” Wykoff said.

Since the first presenter of the Leading Voices series in 2007 which spoke on the HIV and AIDS pandemic, the college continues to speak on topics that affect local and global public welfare alike and intertwine them to see how the information gathered can be used for future health and environment dangers.

“One of the most powerful tools that exists is education,” Wykoff said. “Everything that you’ve learned will inform what you do going forward.”

Noting the importance of past and future health-related issues, recordings of all sessions since 2007 are archived for later viewing which reflect broad impacts of public health. For more information on the Navajo Experience seminar, visit https://www.etsu.edu/calendar/lectures-seminars/default.php#event-details/c73c7bd1-ddcb-4a69-b085-33f4291e17a0. For more information on all archived sessions and the Leading Voices in Public Health series, visit https://www.etsu.edu/cph/lvph.php.

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