Traditional Belief and Healing Systems in a Changing World: An Interdisciplinary Approach

In May 2009, the Anthropology Department hosted the ninth Biennial congress of the International Society for Shamanistic Research (ISSR)—held for the first time in North America.  With a focus on traditional belief and healing systems in a changing world: an interdisciplinary approach, over a hundred people from around the world attended the conference of whom sixty-two gave presentations  on interrelated research in cultural, medical, and linguistic anthropology as well as archaeology. 
David S. Whitley discussed his latest book, Cave Paintings and the Human Spirit: The Origins of  Creativity and Belief, as the keynote speaker.  There was a special focus on Alaskan materials, including indigenous practitioners from both Alaska and abroad.  Native Alaskans as well as faculty and students of the University of Alaska system will participate in the conference, and will significantly benefit from interaction with this international symposium.  The conference activities included an exhibition of ethnographic films related to shamanism and interaction with the ongoing cultural, educational, and research activities of the Alaska Native Heritage Center.