Rhetoric and Public Address Preconference on American Indian Rhetoric

The Rhetoric and Public Address division of the Western States Communication Association is happy to announce a Pre-Conference: American Indian Rhetoric: Exploring Rhetorical Resources for Social Change. The Pre-Conference will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Saturday of the Convention (February 18), in Albuquerque.

Although rhetoric and public address are now committed to the study of previously ignored voices, and numerous essays have been published in our lead journals studying the rhetoric of many historically marginalized groups, there appears to be a dearth of studies on Native Americans. With a few notable exceptions, sustained attention to the rhetorical challenges posed by the continuing colonization of Indian Country is lacking. As the Western States Communication Association meets in New Mexico, a geographical location inhabited by Native Americans for at least 10,000 years, the pre-conference seeks to address this lack of attention, foregrounding Native American rhetoric and the unique rhetorical constraints faced by, and resources available to, advocates of justice for the first peoples.

The Pre-Conference will feature a session with Oscar Giner (ASU), Casey Kelly (Butler), and Cate Palczewski (UNI) discussing their research, and will also include round-table discussions and performances connecting to American Indian rhetoric and social change. Interested participants should email a position paper or performance description (250 words or less), or any questions to AmericanIndianPrecon@gmail.com by JANUARY 30.