Aboriginal Discourses and the State (1/5/03; 5/2/03-5/5/03)

Aboriginal Discourses and the State

This theme in "Culture and the State: Past, Present, and Future" examines the ways in which Aboriginal discourses, written and oral, both determine and are determined by State definitions of identity. We invite papers that explore the limits and freedoms of Aboriginal discourses throughout the world, and the role of State-sanctioned institutions in the promulgation or suppression of these discourses.

Since self-expression is seen as a tool of resistance Aboriginal peoples effectively employ against colonial domination, the study of Aboriginal discourses becomes consonant with the study of the political premises these peoples are perceived to hold. These premises include the ideals of self-governance, communal solidarity, de-colonization, gender and racial equality, and the recognition of Aboriginal peoples as 'distinct societies'. We seek papers that explore how such premises affect the interpretation of Aboriginal literatures, oral traditions, and political self-definitions.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

-Aboriginal literary resistance and canon formation
-Definitions of the self in Aboriginal political and literary discourses
-The role of oral discourses in literary production
-Aboriginal self-governance, communal solidarity, de-colonization, gender and racial -equality, 'distinct societies' recognition, and the State
-Treaty negotiations and discourse analysis
-Identity politics within Aboriginal communities
-Cross-cultural comparisons of Aboriginal discourses

Please submit an abstract of approximately 250 words for papers of 20 minutes by January 5, 2003. Send all submissions to the theme coordinator, Rob Appleford. Early submissions are encouraged and email submissions are welcome.

Rob Appleford
Assistant Professor
Department of English
3-5 Humanities Centre
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada, T6G 2E5
rob.appleford@ualberta.ca