This seminar invites proposals that discuss the ways in which the cultural and narrative traditions of Native America or Native Hawaii are increasingly entering the "mainstream " of literary production and literary studies both within and outside the academic milieu. Since this is a development which has been ongoing for some time, proposals that address issues of recent origin will be especially highly regarded. Such topics might include: the ways in which new technologies (Internet, etc) have the potential to make indigenous traditions, languages and beliefs more accessible to broader publics - and more open to use and abuse; the particular structure of the academic study of Native traditions and contemporary (English-language) literature, particularly as this structure changes with the institutionalization of the field in new ways and through new departments; the ways in which Native American writers' use of their own cultural traditions are changing in response to the growing influence of multiculturalism; or the continuing rise of "pan-Indian" culture as indigenous languages, rituals, etc. grow increasingly fragile or endangered in some cases. The above topics are merely representative examples - submissions on other relevant subjects are encouraged.

Contact: Andrew Cowell, Campus Box 238, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309; (303)492-8270; cowellj@stripe.colorado.edu