New Perspectives on Peoples and Parks Symposium 2022
10th John Muir Symposium Sponsored by the University of the Pacific
When: Saturday April 23, 2022
Where: Grace Covell Hall on the University of the Pacific Campus in Stockton, California
Symposium Overview
This 2022 symposium explored Muir’s world in the context of his influence on creation of parks and other natural areas. The conference organizers were especially interested in the speakers’ and audience’s contribution to the current discussion on Muir and race, as well as the questions: for whom were parks created and who has had open access to “America’s Best Idea?”
For an independent review and analysis of this 2022 symposium, see:
Schedule
8 a.m. — Check in
8:45 a.m. — Welcome
9 a.m. — Carolyn Finney, an independent scholar and author of Black Faces, White Spaces: Reimagining the Relationship of African Americans to the Great Outdoors, will talk about this theme as well as her current research on Muir’s 1867-68 trip through the post-Civil War South.
10 a.m. — Daniel Henry, author and teacher will speak about his book, Across the Shaman’s River: John Muir, the Tlingit Stronghold, and the Opening of the North, which is about Muir’s relation with the native peoples of Alaska.
11 a.m. — Break
11:10 a.m. — Clifford Trafzer, distinguished professor of history and Rupert Costo Chair in American Indian Affairs at UC Riverside, will speak about his recent research on Muir and Native Californians.
11:55 a.m. — Kayleigh Guyon, University of the Pacific student, will present her research on Muir and food.
12:15 p.m. — Lunch: Students from John Muir’s World class will present poster session on their research, environmental organizations will be represented, and independent Muir scholar books and wares will be available.
1:45 p.m. — Yenyen Chan, Yosemite National Park ranger/interpreter, will provide an overview on the Chinese experience in Yosemite history.
2:40 p.m. — Panel moderated by University of the Pacific curator Lisa Cooperman, will focus on how Muir is being reconsidered at Muir-related sites.
- John Muir National Historic Site (Kelli English)
- Sierra Club (Dan Chu)
- Yosemite National Park (Yenyen Chan)
- University of the Pacific Muir collections (Mike Wurtz)
4:30 p.m. — Reception at the Library’s Muir Experience