Northern Michigan University will host its second annual Indigenous Earth Summit on Monday, April 6, in the Great Lakes Rooms of the University Center. The day-long event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is requested by March 30.

The summit will feature panels, films and poster displays on environmental issues impacting Indigenous peoples and lands around the world. It will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and end with a 7 p.m. keynote presentation by Evon Peter titled “An Arctic Perspective on the Eco-Challenges Facing our Generation.” Peter is an Indigenous environmental activist from the Arctic Circle. He will address climate change, renewable energy, industrial pollution, land dependency and the need to shift direction toward more sustainable economies.

According to Peter’s Web site, he is Neetsaii Gwich’in (Alaska Native) from a small mountain village in northeast Alaska called Vashraii K’oo. He was appointed chief in his early 20s, making him one of the youngest leaders in the history of his village. With his wife, he established Native Movement, a non-profit institution that sponsors culturally based leadership and sustainability organizations in Alaska and Arizona. Peter also is the founder and executive director of the Indigenous Leadership Institute, based in Alaska

Eco-vendors and informational tables on environmental issues will also be available at the summit. Those planning to attend the lunch are asked to pre-register. For more information, call 906-227-1397 or visit www.nmu.edu/nativeamericans. The summit is sponsored by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the NMU Center for Native American Studies.