Chief Oren Lyons, the Iroquois tribal leader known internationally as an environmentalist and human rights advocate, is this semesters Elder-in-Residence at West Virginia University.

Lyons will be on campus from Feb. 27-March 4 as a guest of the Native American Studies program.

Hell participate in several panels while also giving a presentation on the history of lacrosse, a sport invented by the Iroquois that he excelled in as a college athlete. Hell also continue his call of respect for the Earth and the environment.

Ive seen thedrunken forest,Lyons said, referring to damage wrought by global warming to several indigenous villages in the Artic.Trees are tipping over. With the melting of the permafrost, peoples homes are falling down and roads are slipping away.

Lyons is Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, Onondaga Nation, Haudenosaunee, Six Nations, Iroquois Confederacy.

This is the fourth year of residency for the program, which is housed in WVU s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

Oren Lyons is a man of great stature, grace and knowledge,said Carolyn Reyer, who founded WVU s native studies program.We have the opportunity to learn a lot from him.

Lyons is the recipient of several outreach awards including the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor; the National Audubon Award; the Earth Day International Award of the United Nations; and the Elder and Wiser Award from the Rosa Parks Institute for Human Rights.

He is also a member of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and was named anHonorary Mountaineerby Gov. Joe Manchin.

Heres the schedule of events featuring Lyons. All are free and open to the public.

* Public lecture, a look at the history of lacrosse, 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 28, Morgantown High School. Lyons will talk to around 200 lacrosse players from public schools in Monongalia and Marion counties about the sport first played by Iroquoian people centuries ago. Hell also display some of his traditional lacrosse gear. He was named to the NCAA All-American team in lacrosse while a student at Syracuse University

* Environmental panel discussion,Healing the Earth, Healing Her People,7 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, Mountainlair Gluck Theatre. Lyons will participate with Dr. Carol Markstrom, Professor of Family and Consumer Sciences at WVU , and Native American human rights advocate Tim Brown of Ontario, Canada. A reception with refreshments, music and displays by several local environmental groups will be at 6:15 p.m..

* Public lecture,Cowboys and Indians: Will it Ever End? Ask Mother Nature,7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, Eiesland Hall Auditorium (Room G24 ). The ONAI Drum ensemble will open the event with anhonoringsong.

The elders talks are just as much about tomorrow as they are today, said Dr. Ellessa High, WVU s Native American Studies Program Coordinator.

Chief Lyons continues to remind us all of our relationship to the earth and our responsibilities to the generations yet to be born,High said.

Info: 304-293-3107, ext. 33415.