To be held on Denman Island, B.C., August 20, 21 & 22, 2004

The conference will provide a forum in which researchers, scholars and islanders can explore the past, present and future of island communities of people, plants, animals, the interrelationships between those communities, and the distinctive qualities of islands. Sections

1. Island Histories
The History section will examine economic and social histories of island-dwellers in both pre- and post-contact eras as well as those of more recent times. Some expected topics are: oral histories of pre-contact peoples; displacement of native populations; histories of settlement on islands; the 'pioneer spirit' and early interactions between European settlers and native peoples; intentional communities on small islands.

2. Island Cultures
The Island Cultures section will encompass discussions of the succession and/or co-existence of cultures on islands, the emergence of particular island cultures, and the links between geography and and culture. Some expected topics of presentations are: the social impact of the 'back to the land movement'; personal freedom, eccentricity and the mythologies of island life.

3. Social Issues Affecting Islands
Discussion in the Social Issues section will engage socio-economic and socio-political factors affecting individuals and communities on islands. Some expected topics are: social impacts of the 'back to the land movement''; the double-edged sword that is tourism; social and environmental impacts of the retirement boom.

4. Island Environments
The Island Environments section will discuss island geographies, relationships between plant and animal communities and the relationship of plant and animal communities to the human presence on these islands. Some expected topics are: ecosystems with specialized adaptations to islands; conservation as a community ethos, and impacts of introduced species.

Additional Sections
We also invite papers that may not necessarily fit into the already-proposed sections. If you have an idea for a presentation not covered by the sections outlined above, please feel free to submit your idea, and to contact other colleagues who might also want to participate.

Poster Displays
We invite participation in a poster session. Your display may be relevant to any of the sections outlined above, or may present additional topics. To apply, send a short written description of your area of interest and intended display.