Deadline Extended for Proposals for American Indians Today to December 1, 2006

Call for Papers: American Indians Today
Abstract/Proposals by 15 November 2006

Southwest/Texas Popular & American Popular Culture Associations 28th Annual Conference
Albuquerque, NM. February 14-17, 2007
Hyatt Regency Albuquerque
330 Tijeras
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 1.505.842.1234
Fax: 1.505.766.6710

Panels now forming on topics related to American Indians Today. American Indians Today accepts proposals from all disciplines that examine diverse perspectives of American Indian life in contemporary America including: culture, traditions, customs, arts, politics, social influences, military participation, reservation, rural and urban influences, language, assimilation, adaptation, syncretism, sovereignty and peoplehood, etc.

Proposals may examine various aspects of American Indian contemporary life ways as represented in: film; theater; literature; poetry; oral tradition; myth; legend; philosophy; sciences, arts; fashion; artifacts; foods; journalism; media (radio, television); photography; identity; cultural or spiritual appropriation; stereotypes; mascots; politics; gaming; Indian veterans, urban Indians, etc. Previous proposals have ranged the spectrum from basketry and hoopdancing to rap, rhetoric, film and literature.

A special emphasis in American Indian Film is offered for the second year.

Area I: Teaching American Indian Film
The purpose is to initiate dialogue about what happens when we use Native films across cultural boundaries and in comparison to other cultural approaches. We welcome papers, panels, or workshops focusing on teaching American Indian or Indigenous films as part of a non-American Indian Studies course, such as Humanities, American Studies, or English. How do disciplinary and cultural politics influence how we read Native film? Which Native films are being used in classrooms, how and why? Topics may address any aspect of: American Indians in Hollywood film; American Indian filmmakers; approaches to teaching American Indian film; issues addressed in Native media.

Area II: Indigenous or American Indian Film/Media Courses
The purpose is to initiate dialogue about teaching film in American Indian Studies, English, and Film Studies programs. We welcome panels or workshops that focus on the study of or teaching of American Indian film courses—films by American Indian or Indigenous filmmakers. Panels and workshops may include: approach and materials, new directions in Native media, American Indian filmmakers—style, genre, politics, access to materials, new voices in Native media, and Native women filmmakers.
Individuals interested in chairing or moderating a film panel contact Elise Marubbio at marubbio@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1523.

Send an abstract of 100-250 words. Inquiries regarding any topical area or the formation of a panel presentation should be directed to the area chair. Send your submission to me by 15 November 2006:

Richard L. Allen, Area Chair
American Indians Today
Cherokee Nation
P.O. Box 948
Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465
(918) 453-5466
Email: rallen@cherokee.org

Details regarding the conference (listing of all areas, hotel, registration, tours, etc.) can be found at http://www.swtexaspca.org.