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The theme for the next LCMND conference
will be the West as expressed in various disciplines. Although
I am articulating the theme from a somewhat literary and Western
Canadian point of view, please feel free to explore any area of
interest having to do with the idea of the West, especially as
regards Western Canada and the West of the United States.
Literature : From Michael Ondaatje to Margaret Laurence to Jack Kerouac to Raymond Chandler to Louis L’Amour, the West has been the context for the search for meaning and adventure in literature. Going beyond this, European authors such as Montaigne, Rousseau and Voltaire have used the idea of the West to rejuvenate European thinking, while at the same time acknowledging the epistemological challenge it presents. History : perhaps the paradox of exploration of the West and of its subsequent development is that, originally seen in North America as an obstacle in the race to get to the Far East, it has now become the most dynamic region of both Canada and the United States. Could the history of the West be summed up as at first the search for ways and means to cross it in order to get somewhere else, and then the search to exploit the wealth it contains? Culture, Economy and Politics : A wide variety of topics, often inter-related, is possible : native concerns (land and treaty rights, casinos, education and housing, internal politics), water rights, North-South politics (mad cows and borders), alienation from the East. Of particular interest, given the importance of the Métis population in Manitoba, would be any proposal dealing with Métis history, politics and culture. However, proposals dealing with other Métis cultures would also be welcome. Deadline for submission of proposals is August
15, 2008 (they can be up to 3 pages long & should
be suitable for later publication in the LCMND 2008 Proceedings) Alan MacDonell |
The 51st meeting of the Linguistic Circle of Manitoba & North Dakota will be held at the University of Manitobe, Winnipeg, MB.
Proposals*** for papers, accompanied by an abstract of up to three pages suitable for publication in the LCMND Proceedings, may be sent to any of the current LCMND officers, but in particular, to 2008 President Alan MacDonell.
***Only members in good standing may present a paper at the conference. If your current dues have not yet been paid, please send them to an LCMND Officer as soon as possible, along with your membership information solicited below the LCMND Executive Grid.