On November 1, 2019, the Center for Upper Peninsula Studies and the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University will be presenting the 19th annual Sonderegger Symposium. The Symposium is the largest and most prestigious academic conference dedicated to the study of the Upper Peninsula and Upper Great Lakes region. This year, the theme for the Symposium will be, “Anishinaabek: East, South, West, North.” This title is in reference to the First Nations of this region and the medicine wheel which represents not only the four directions, but many facets of traditional life.  This interdisciplinary symposium will feature presentations on many aspects of Anishinaabek life, both past and present.

The keynote address at this year’s symposium will be presented by Karen Diver (Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) Director, Business Development, Native American Advancement Initiatives at the University of Arizona. The title of her address is “Anishinaabe-bimaadizi: Anishinaabe views about wellness.” Karen was an appointee of President Obama as the Special Assistant to the President for Native American Affairs. As part of the Domestic Policy Council, Ms. Diver assisted with inter-agency efforts, policy and regulatory changes to benefit 567 Native American Tribes. Karen served in this position from November 2015 until the end of the Administration. Karen served as Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa from 2007 -2015.