ASAIL Newsletter and ASAIL Notes, 1973-98
* * * *
ASAIL Officers 1980 - 2010
* * * *
ASAIL Bylaws
* * * *
Report to the Program Committee of the Modern Language Association for Renewal of Allied Status for the Association for the Study of
American Indian Literatures (ASAIL)
1999 2006
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MLA Programs Arranged by the Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures, 1980 - 2008
* * * *
Minutes of the ASAIL Business Meeting
2009
2008 2007 2006
2005 2004 2002
* * * *
President: Patrice Hollrah, U of Nevada - Las Vegas
Vice-President: Jodi Byrd, U of Illinois
Secretary: Amy Hamilton, Northern Michigan U
Treasurer: [pro tem] Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
Historian: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
[ex officio] SAIL Editors: Daniel Heath Justice, U of Toronto and James Cox, U of Texas
2008-09 President: Patrice Hollrah, U of Nevada - Las Vegas; Vice-President: Jodi Byrd, U of Illinois; Secretary: Christina Roberts, Seattle U; Treasurer: Ellen Arnold, East Carolina U; Historian: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond; [ex officio] SAIL Editors: Daniel Heath Justice, U of Toronto and James Cox, U of Texas
2007-08 President: Debra K. S. Barker, U of Wisconsin - Eau Claire; Vice-President: Patrice Hollrah, U of Nevada - Las Vegas; Secretary: Christina Roberts, U of Arizona; Treasurer: Ellen Arnold, East Carolina U; Historian: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond; [ex officio] SAIL Editor: Daniel Heath Justice, U of Toronto
2006-07 President: Debra K. S. Barker, U of Wisconsin - Eau Claire; Vice-President: Patrice Hollrah, U of Nevada - Las Vegas; Secretary: Lisa Tatonetti, U of Wisconsin - Oshkosh; Treasurer: Siobhan Senier, U of New Hampshire; Historian: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond; [ex officio] SAIL Editor: Daniel Heath Justice, U of Toronto
2005-06 President: Daniel Heath Justice, U of Toronto; Vice-President: Debra K. S. Barker, U of Wisconsin - Eau Claire; Secretary: Lisa Tatonetti, U of Wisconsin - Oshkosh; Treasurer: Siobhan Senier, U of New Hampshire; Historian: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond; [ex officio] SAIL Editor: Malea Powell, Michigan State U
2004-05 President: Daniel Heath Justice, U of Toronto; Vice-President: Debra K. S. Barker, U of Wisconsin - Eau Claire; Secretary: Patrice Hollrah, U of Nevada - Las Vegas; Treasurer-elect: Siobhan Senier, U of New Hampshire; Historian: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond; [ex officio] SAIL Editor: Malea Powell, Michigan State U
2003 President: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State U; Vice-President: Debra K. S. Barker, U of Wisconsin - Eau Claire; Secretary: Patrice Hollrah, U of Nevada - Las Vegas; Treasurer: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
2002 President: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State U; Vice-President: Deborah Miranda, U of Washington; Secretary: Daniel Heath Justice, U of Nebraska - Lincoln; Treasurer: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
2001 President: Joyzelle Godfrey; Vice-President: Deborah Miranda, U of Washington; Secretary: Daniel Heath Justice, U of Nebraska - Lincoln; Treasurer: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
2000 President: Joyzelle Godfrey; Vice-President: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State U; Secretary: Malea Powell, U of Nebraska - Lincoln; Treasurer: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
1999 President: Ginny Carney, U of Kentucky; Vice-President: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State U; Secretary: Ruth Rosenberg, Brooklyn, New York; Treasurer: Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
1998 President, Ginny Carney, U of Kentucky; Vice-President, Ken Roemer, U of Texas, Arlington; Secretary, Ruth Rosenberg, Brooklyn, New York; Treasurer, Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
1997 President, Susan Scarberry-García, Navajo Preparatory School, NM; Vice-President, Ginny Carney, U of Kentucky; Secretary, Ruth Rosenberg; Treasurer, Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
1996 President, Susan Scarberry-García, Navajo Preparatory School; Vice-President, Betty Louise Bell, U of Michigan; Secretary, Inés Hernandez-Ávila, U of California, Davis; Treasurer, Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
1994-1995 President, Kate Shanley, Cornell U; Vice-President, Betty Louise Bell, U of Michigan; Secretary, Inés Hernandez-Ávila; Treasurer, Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
1993 President, Hertha Wong, U of California, Berkeley; Vice-President, Betty Louise Bell; Secretary, Inés Hernandez-Ávila; Treasurer, Robert Nelson, U of Richmond
1992 President, Hertha Wong; Vice-President, Gretchen Ronnow, Northern Arizona U; Secretary, Toby Langen, U of Arizona; Treasurer, Elizabeth McDade, U of Richmond
1991 President, Franchot Ballinger, U of Cincinnati; Vice-President, Greg Sarris; Secretary-Treasurer, Elizabeth McDade, U of Richmond
1990 President, Franchot Ballinger, U of Cincinnati; Vice-President, Andrea Lerner; Secretary-Treasurer, Elizabeth McDade, U of Richmond
1989 President, James Ruppert, U of Alaska, Fairbanks; Vice-President, Franchot Ballinger, U of Cincinnati
1988 President, Kathleen Sands, Arizona State U; Vice-President, James Ruppert, U of Alaska, Fairbanks
1987 President, Daniel F. Littlefield, U of Arkansas, Little Rock
1986 President, Susan Scarberry-García, Colorado College
1985 President, Andrew Wiget, New Mexico State U
1984 President, Paul Zolbrod, Allegheny College
1983 President, Elaine Jahner, U of Nebraska
1982 President, Larry Evers, U of Arizona; Secretary, Elaine Jahner, U of Nebraska
1981 President, Jarold Ramsey, U of Rochester; Secretary, Elaine Jahner, U of Nebraska
1980 President, LaVonne Brown Ruoff, U of Illinois, Chicago
** Since the ASAIL treasury is so intimately connected to the SAIL mailing list, and since the journal has been produced at the U of Richmond since late 1989, the Association voted in 1995 to suspend a by-law in order to re-elect Robert Nelson as a standing officer (Treasurer) of ASAIL; this suspension was revoked in 2004.
ASAIL January 4, 1991, amended 2002, amended 2004, amended 2009.
I. Name of the organization. The name of the organization shall be The Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures.
II. Purpose. {Amended 2009} The purpose of the organization shall be to promote study, criticism, and research on the oral traditions and written
literatures of Native Americans; to promote the teaching of such traditions and literatures; and to support and encourage contemporary Native
American writers and the continuity of Native oral traditions. The organization shall operate exclusively for these educational purposes in accordance
with section 503(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
III. Membership. There shall be three categories of membership. The dues within each category shall be established by the Executive Committee following consultation with association members at a business meeting.
A. Regular membership. Educators professionally interested in the above-stated purpose of the organization or persons otherwise active in furthering such goals may become regular members of the association.
B. Limited income membership. Persons retired from professions relevant to the above-stated purpose and Native American writers may apply for membership in this category. Also, graduate students engaged in courses of study in Native American oral traditions or writing may for a maximum of four years become members at this level, provided they do not hold full-time teaching positions.
C. Patron. Persons who contribute at higher financial levels than required for regular membership may join the association at this level.
D. Honorary membership. Honorary membership may be granted to distinguished persons of letters and scholars of any nationality upon nomination by the Executive Committee and election by the membership at an association business meeting.
E. Only members in good standing may hold office in the association and vote in association elections and meetings.
IV. Officers--Responsibilities
A. The officers of the association shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer.
B. With the advice of the Executive Committee, the president shall administer the affairs of the association. The president shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and at associate business meetings. Also, the president shall communicate regularly with members through the association journal concerning association business.
C. The vice-president shall preside at all Executive Committee meetings and business meetings from which the president must be absent. In addition, the vice-president shall assume presidential administrative duties when so requested by the president and the Executive Committee and shall serve as liaison with other organizations whose professional purposes correspond to ASAIL's.
D. The secretary shall record the minutes of Executive Committee meetings and of membership business meetings. A summary of business meeting minutes shall be published in the association journal as soon as feasible following each meeting. The secretary shall also preserve minutes of all meetings for five years and shall pass these on to the succeeding secretary.
E. The treasurer shall collect and manage association funds (including keeping accurate and current records of association income, assets, and expenses)
so as to further association goals. As major instruments for achieving these goals, the association journal and newsletter shall receive priority in the
expenditure of association funds. In addition, the treasurer shall maintain accurate and current membership lists and shall answer all queries regarding
membership. The treasurer shall also make financial reports at Executive Committee meetings and at association business meetings. The association
financial records shall be available to the Executive Committee upon request.
V. Officers -- Election
A. Officers shall be elected from among current membership.
B. {Amended 2002} The slate of nominees for election shall be prepared by the Election Committee prior to the association's annual business meeting at the Native American Literature Symposium.
C. {Amended 2002} Election of officers shall be by secret ballot at the annual business meeting during the Native American Literature Symposium. However, in unusual and compelling circumstances, the Executive Committee may, with the approval of the members present at this meeting, choose to conduct the election by mail ballot.
D. Terms and Sequence of Elections
1. The initial election officers shall be conducted as follows: In December, 1991, the president and the treasurer shall be elected to two year terms; the vice-president and the secretary shall be elected to one year terms.
2. Beginning with the elections of officers in December, 1992, the election sequence shall be as follows: The president and the treasurer shall be elected to two year terms in odd-numbered years; the vice-president and the secretary shall be elected to two year terms in even-numbered years.
3.{Amended 2002} Beginning with the elections of officers in March, 2004, the election sequence shall be as follows: the secretary and the treasurer shall be elected to two year terms in each odd-numbered year; the president shall automatically be succeeded by the vice-president, and a new vice-president elected, in each even-numbered year.
E. Neither the president nor the vice-president may be elected to consecutive terms.
VI. Executive Committee
A. The Executive Committee shall meet as often as feasible to conduct association business. In any event, the Committee shall meet at least once a year
at the Modern Language Association convention and once prior to the business meeting at the association's own convention, if any.
B. {Amended 2004} The membership of the Executive Committee shall include the president, the vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer, the editor of the association journal, and the association historian.
C. The responsibilities of the Committee shall be:
1. to further the goals of the organization;
2. to initiate and supervise the services of the association;
3. to approve the budget of the association and to supervise its expenditure and to act on proposals regarding dues structure and subscription rates for publications;
4. to make recommendations to the membership, to act on recommendations by members, and to inform members of actions taken;
5. to establish and discharge committees, either on recommendation of the membership or on its own initiative, and to designate their chairs;
6. {Amended 2004} to oversee publications, media, and archives of the association, including appointing, assisting, and advising the editor of the association journal and the association historian;
7. to plan conventions and other meetings of the association.
VII. Association Meetings
A. {Amended 2002} The association shall hold business meetings during either the Native American Literature Symposium or its own convention, if
any, and during the annual Modern Language Association convention.
B. The association shall hold conventions at times and places determined by the Executive Committee. In an emergency, the Executive Committee shall have the power to cancel a convention.
C. Conventions shall be planned by the Executive Committee with the advice of a program committee appointed by the Executive Committee.
D. Association sessions at the annual Modern Language Association convention shall be planned by session chairs appointed by the Executive Committee.
VIII. Amendments
A. Proposals for amendments to these by-laws may be initiated by the Executive Committee or by any association member.
B. {Amended 2002} All amendments to be brought before the membership shall be published at least ninety days before the business meeting at which they are to be voted on or mailed to members at least thirty days before the business meeting.
C. Amendments must be approved by a majority of those voting at the business meeting. With the approval of those present at such a meeting, the
Executive Committee may choose to conduct the voting among the entire membership by mail.
IX. Dissolution
A. The association may be dissolved only by a vote of the members present at a special meeting called for that purpose.
B. {Amended 2009} On the dissolution of the association, all property remaining after the satisfaction of the association's obligations shall be distributed as the Executive Committee directs, choosing the recipients from non-profit Native American educational institutions whose goals are consistent with the interests of the association and who qualify as exempt within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
N.B. At the 12/29/90 business meeting, the membership directed the officers to proceed with incorporation. If the above document is passed by ASAIL members, the officers shall take such acceptance as authority to add to the by-laws immediately (without recourse to the above amending procedure) such language as incorporation may require.
2006 REPORT TO THE PROGRAM COMMITTEE
OF THE MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION
FOR RENEWAL OF ALLIED STATUS FOR
THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AMERICAN INDIAN LITERATURES (ASAIL)
The members of the Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures (ASAIL), an allied organization of the Modern Language Association, petition the Program Committee of MLA to renew ASAIL's allied status.
I. HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AMERICAN INDIAN LITERATURES (ASAIL), 1999-2006.
The last seven years have seen significant developments in ASAIL's mandate, which broadly includes the following: (a) promoting the rigorous and respectful study, criticism, and research in the oral traditions and literatures of Indigenous peoples throughout North America; (b) encouraging scholarship that attends to the sociopolitical priorities of Indigenous peoples and nationhood; (c) providing strong mentorship and professionalization opportunities for graduate students and junior scholars in the field; (d) expanding access to relevant pedagogical resources through conferences and the ASAIL listserve; and (d) drawing on the work of established literary voices, senior scholars, and elders, while also expanding the range of texts, critical perspectives, and analytical considerations in new and exciting directions.
Since 2002, ASAIL has had a strong relationship with the Native American Literary Symposium (NALS), an annual conference organized by a group of Native scholars in the field (the "Clan Mothers") and held in Native-owned venues throughout the United States. With the Clan Mothers' generous permission, ASAIL's annual business meeting is now held at NALS as both a symbolic and physical reminder to our membership of the expanded organizational mandate, particularly our commitment to linking literary studies to the lived realities of Indigenous peoples.
This shift in location of our business meeting has not, however, resulted in a lessening of our participation in the MLA. ASAIL has maintained a consistent and engaged presence at the MLA annual convention, with at least two sponsored panels each year, along with a cross-fertilization of both members and ideas with our annual convention meeting that takes place in association with the MLA Division on American Indian Literatures. The panels are consistently well-attended, and they have long been a forum through which new members (at least fifteen each year) are introduced to the Association and its resources.
Our active work at the MLA convention in introducing scholars to the cutting-edge of research in the field of American Indian literatures is just one example of our suitability for continuing our allied status. Three others include our journal, Studies in American Indian Literatures (SAIL), our official association website, and the ASAIL listserv, all of which provide resources to established and emerging scholars (as well as interested laypeople and community members).
Studies in American Indian Literatures is the only scholarly journal in the United States and Canada that focuses exclusively on American Indian literatures (Series 1: 1977-1987; Series 2, 1989-present). The journal was, for many years, published quarterly out of the University of Richmond under the careful supervision of our various editors and our long-time treasurer (now historian), Robert Nelson. As the field and our mandate expanded, so to did our needs, and in 2003, the journal's editor, Malea Powell, and ASAIL's former president, Chadwick Allen, signed a contract with the University of Nebraska Press for a publishing agreement between the Association and the Press. The journal began publishing quarterly with the Press with Series 2, Volume 16, Number 1 (Spring 2004).
As a result, SAIL's profile has increased significantly: it is available to a much broader audience, as it is now prominently featured alongside the Press's other outstanding Native Studies journals and monographs; it is accessible electronically through Project Muse; and it is now indexed through Thomson Arts and Humanities Index and ERIC. [See sample copies of journal included with Report.]
Our website (http://oncampus.richmond.edu/faculty/ ASAIL/) not only includes Association information (bylaws, meeting minutes and notes, calls for papers, and announcements), it is also regularly updated with pedagogy and professionalization resources, including course syllabi and outlines, recent books of interest, an up-todate list of Native Studies programs in the United States and Canada, and full-text past issues of SAIL (pre-V.16).
The ASAIL listserv, which includes 268 subscribers, is very active, and provides a core group of our members with the most up-to-date information on scholarship in the field, including vigorous discussions about issues of significance in Native literary studies. The listserv, which is maintained by David Payne at the University of Georgia, and the website, maintained by Robert Nelson, have replaced ASAIL Notes as the immediate forum for disciplinary and Association news, business, and resources. Much of the information provided on the listserv is subsequently archived on our website for easy access to both ASAIL members and the broader public.
The Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures has continued its long and productive collaboration with the Division on American Indian
Literatures through coordinating panel sessions during a joint meeting at each convention. Our members are also active on the committee on Literatures and languages of America and the MLA Delegate Assembly.
II. ONGOING ACTIVITY
With an active and engaged membership, ASAIL continues its long history of participation in the national MLA convention, as well as other symposia and conferences throughout the United States [see Appendix B for ASAIL-sponsored MLA programs from 1999-2006].
Our members, both individual and institutional, are kept informed about upcoming conferences and publication calls for papers through our website, listserv, and journal.
As discussed in Section I of this report, ASAIL has strengthened its reputation as the premier site for Native literary scholarship through the expanded profile of Studies in American Indian Literatures. In recognition of the organization's commitment to both the broader scholarly community and Indigenous communities throughout North America, ASAIL provides free subscriptions of the journal to tribal colleges, thus strengthening the reciprocal link between Native peoples and the scholarship that represents them. Each issue of SAIL also includes addresses for the official governments of the tribal nations referenced in the issue, thus providing scholars with contact information to further responsible scholarship in the field.
III. DIVERSE PARTICIPATION IN ASAIL ACTIVITIES
While focusing on the literatures and languages of the Indigenous Americas, as per our mandate, ASAIL is inclusive of a diverse and interdisciplinary constituency that includes scholars and non-academics, both Native and non-Native. Our long-time commitment to supporting Indigenous scholars and writers in the
IV. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures was founded in 1972.
The purpose of the organization shall be to promote study, criticism, and research on the oral traditions and literatures of Native Americans; to promote the teaching of such traditions and literatures; and to support and encourage contemporary Native American writers and the continuity of Native American oral traditions.
V. ASAIL BYLAWS
Please see Appendix C for ASAIL's bylaws, which were revised and approved by ASAIL membership in March 1991, with subsequent amendments approved in 2002 and 2004.
VI. CURRENT MEMBERSHIP
ASAIL currently has around 280 individual and 140 institutional members and subscribers. The membership has a broadly international scope, with representation from many different countries, including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Germany, Italy, England, and New Zealand. Please see Appendix D for a sample membership application.
VII. DESCRIPTION OF DUES STRUCTURE
ASAIL maintains four categories of association membership:
| Individual membership | $ 30 | |
| Limited income membership | $ 20 | |
| Sponsor | $ 50 | |
| Patron | $ 100 |
ASAIL's publishing agreement with the University of Nebraska Press provides for a $75 institutional subscription price for SAIL.
Benefits of ASAIL membership include subscriptions to SAIL and the ASAIL listserv; donations at the Sponsor and Patron level are acknowledged in the first issue of each volume year.
Respectfully submitted,
Daniel Heath Justice, President (2004-2006)
Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures (ASAIL)
APPENDIX A
Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures
Executive Committees, 1999-2006
2006-2007
President: Debra K.S. Barker, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (2006-2008); Vice-President: Patrice E.M. Hollrah, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
(2006-2008); Secretary: Lisa Tatonetti, Kansas State University (2005-2007); Treasurer: Siobhan Senier, University of New Hampshire (2005-2007);
Historian: Robert Nelson, University of Richmond (standing officer); [ex officio] SAIL Editor: Daniel Heath Justice, University of Toronto (2006-2011)
2005-2006
President: Daniel Heath Justice, University of Toronto (2004-2006); Vice-President: Debra K.S. Barker, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
(2004-2006; President, 20062008); Secretary: Lisa Tatonetti, Kansas State University (2005-2007); Treasurer: Siobhan Senier, University of New
Hampshire (2005-2007); Historian: Robert Nelson, University of Richmond (standing officer); [ex officio] SAIL Editor: Malea Powell, Michigan State
University (2000-2006)
2004-2005
President: Daniel Heath Justice, University of Toronto; Vice-President: Debra K.S. Barker, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Secretary: Patrice
Hollrah, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Treasurer-elect: Siobhan Senier; Historian: Robert Nelson, University of Richmond; [ex officio] SAIL
Editor: Malea Powell, Michigan State University
2003-2004
President: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State University; Vice-President: Daniel Heath Justice, University of Toronto; Secretary: Patrice Hollrah, University
of Nevada, Las Vegas; Treasurer: Robert Nelson, University of Richmond**
2002-2003
President: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State University; Vice-President: Deborah Miranda, University of Washington; Secretary: Daniel Heath Justice,
University of Toronto; Treasurer: Robert Nelson, University of Richmond
2001-2002
President: Joyzelle Godfrey; Vice-President: Deborah Miranda, University of Washington; Secretary: Daniel Heath Justice, University of
Nebraska-Lincoln; Treasurer: Robert Nelson, University of Richmond
2000-2001
President: Joyzelle Godfrey; Vice-President: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State University; Secretary: Malea Powell, University of Nebraska-Lincoln;
Treasurer: Robert Nelson, University of Richmond
1999-2000
President: Ginny Carney, University of Kentucky; Vice-President: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State University; Secretary: Ruth Rosenberg; Treasurer:
Robert Nelson, University of Richmond
**Since the ASAIL treasury was, for many years, so intimately connected to the SAIL mailing list, and since the journal had been produced at the University of Richmond from late 1989 to 2003, the Association voted in 1995 to suspend a bylaw in order to re-elect Robert Nelson as a standing officer (Treasurer) of ASAIL. When production of SAIL moved to the University of Nebraska Press in 2003, the Association voted to return to observance of the bylaw, thus opening the position of Treasurer to a general vote of the members. In recognition of Robert Nelson's long and able service to the Association over many years, and his continuing dedication to the organization and the larger field, the membership voted to create the standing office of Historian and named Nelson the first ASAIL Historian.
APPENDIX B
MLA Programs Arranged by
the Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures
1999-2006
2006: Philadelphia (Calls for Papers)
American Indian Literatures in Global Contexts. Presiding: Chadwick Allen
Teaching the American Indian Boarding School Experience. Presiding: Deborah Miranda
2005: Washington, D.C.
Broadening the Conversation: Teaching beyond the Canonical Native Writers. Presiding: Debra K.S. Barker, University of Wisconsin, Eau
Claire; Connie Augustine Jacobs, San Juan College
Speakers: Granville Ganter, Saint John's University, NY; Virginia Kennedy, University of Scranton; Siobhan Senier, University of New Hampshire,
Durham; Kenneth Morrison Roemer, University of Texas, Arlington; James K. Ruppert, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Ethics and American Indian Cultures. Presiding: Christina A. Roberts, University of Arizona
2004: Philadelphia
Problems in Applying Feminist Theory to Native American Literature. Presiding: Patrice E.M. Hollrah, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
American Indian Literature and Visual Culture. Presiding: Dean Rader, University of San Francisco
2003: San Diego
Opening Our Canon: Teaching Lesser-Known Native Writers. Presiding: Virginia I. Carney, Leech Lake Tribal College
"The Dirt Is Red Here": Literature and Art of Native California. Presiding: Deborah A. Miranda, Pacific Lutheran University
Speakers: Greg Sarris, Loyola Marymount University; Sylvia Ross, Lemon Grove, CA; L. Frank Manriquez, Sebastopol, CA; Frank LaPena, California
State University, Sacramento
2002: New York City
Native Literature in Native Classrooms: The Challenge of Teaching in a Tribal College. Presiding: Patrice E.M. Hollrah, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Constructing Indigenous Consciousness in Colonizing Languages. Presiding: Daniel Heath Justice, University of Toronto
2001: New Orleans
Teaching American Indian Literatures in Multicultural Contexts. Presiding: Eric Gary Anderson, Oklahoma State University
American Indian Protest Literatures. Presiding: Malea D. Powell, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
2000: Washington, D.C.
Uncanonized American Indian and First Nations Writers. Presiding: Malea D. Powell, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Teaching Native American Literature from an Indigenous Perspective. Presiding: Joanne R. DiNova, University of Waterloo, ON. Respondent: Gwen N. Griffin, Minnesota State University
1999: Chicago
North American Literatures in Indigenous Languages. Presiding: Joanne R. DiNova, University of Waterloo
Teaching Native American Literature from an Indigenous Perspective. Presiding: Virginia I. Carney, Eastern Kentucky University
A Reading by Susan Power (Yanktonnai Dakota)
Program arranged by MLA Committee on the Literatures and Languages of America, the MLA Division on American Indian Literatures, the
Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures, and the D'Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian History, Newberry Library
APPENDIX C
ASAIL Bylaws
Approved January 4, 1991; amended 2002, 2004
I. Name of the organization. The name of the organization shall be The Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures.
II. Purpose. The purpose of the organization shall be to promote study, criticism, and research on the oral traditions and written literatures of Native Americans; to promote the teaching of such traditions and literatures; and to support and encourage contemporary Native American writers and the continuity of Native oral traditions.
III. Membership. There shall be three categories of membership. The dues within each category shall be established by the Executive Committee following consultation with association members at a business meeting.
A. Regular membership. Educators professionally interested in the above-stated purpose of the organization or persons otherwise active in furthering such goals may become regular members of the association.
B. Limited income membership. Persons retired from professions relevant to the above-stated purpose and Native American writers may apply for membership in this category. Also, graduate students engaged in courses of study in Native American oral traditions or writing may for a maximum of four years become members at this level, provided they do not hold full-time teaching positions.
C. Patron. Persons who contribute at higher financial levels than required for regular membership may join the association at this level.
D. Honorary membership. Honorary membership may be granted to distinguished persons of letters and scholars of any nationality upon nomination by the Executive Committee and election by the membership at an association business meeting.
E. Only members in good standing may hold office in the association and vote in association elections and meetings.
IV. Officers--Responsibilities
A. The officers of the association shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer.
B. With the advice of the Executive Committee, the president shall administer the affairs of the association. The president shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and at associate business meetings. Also, the president shall communicate regularly with members through the association journal concerning association business.
C. The vice-president shall preside at all Executive Committee meetings and business meetings from which the president must be absent. In addition, the vice-president shall assume presidential administrative duties when so requested by the president and the Executive Committee and shall serve as liaison with other organizations whose professional purposes correspond to ASAIL's.
D. The secretary shall record the minutes of Executive Committee meetings and of membership business meetings. A summary of business meeting minutes shall be published in the association journal as soon as feasible following each meeting. The secretary shall also preserve minutes of all meetings for five years and shall pass these on to the succeeding secretary.
E. The treasurer shall collect and manage association funds (including keeping accurate and current records of association income, assets, and expenses) so as to further association goals. As major instruments for achieving these goals, the association journal and newsletter shall receive priority in the expenditure of association funds. In addition, the treasurer shall maintain accurate and current membership lists and shall answer all queries regarding membership. The treasurer shall also make financial reports at Executive Committee meetings and at association business meetings. The association financial records shall be available to the Executive Committee upon request.
V. Officers -- Election.
A. Officers shall be elected from among current membership.
B. {Amended 2002} The slate of nominees for election shall be prepared by the Election Committee prior to the association's annual business meeting at the Native American Literature Symposium.
C. {Amended 2002} Election of officers shall be by secret ballot at the annual business meeting during the Native American Literature Symposium. However, in unusual and compelling circumstances, the Executive Committee may, with the approval of the members present at this meeting, choose to conduct the election by mail ballot.
D. Terms and Sequence of Elections
1. The initial election officers shall be conducted as follows: In December, 1991, the president and the treasurer shall be elected to two year terms; the vice-president and the secretary shall be elected to one year terms.
2. Beginning with the elections of officers in December, 1992, the election sequence shall be as follows: The president and the treasurer shall be elected to two year terms in odd-numbered years; the vice-president and the secretary shall be elected to two year terms in even-numbered years.
3.{Amended 2002} Beginning with the elections of officers in March, 2004, the election sequence shall be as follows: the secretary and the treasurer shall be elected to two year terms in each odd-numbered year; the president shall automatically be succeeded by the vice-president, and a new vice-president elected, in each even-numbered year.
E. Neither the president nor the vice-president may be elected to consecutive terms.
VI. Executive Committee
A. The Executive Committee shall meet as often as feasible to conduct association business. In any event, the Committee shall meet at least once a year at the Modern Language Association convention and once prior to the business meeting at the association's own convention, if any.
B. {Amended 2004} The membership of the Executive Committee shall include the president, the vice-president, the secretary, the treasurer, the editor of the association journal, and the association historian.
C. The responsibilities of the Committee shall be:
1. to further the goals of the organization;
2. to initiate and supervise the services of the association;
3. to approve the budget of the association and to supervise its expenditure and to act on proposals regarding dues structure and subscription rates for publications;
4. to make recommendations to the membership, to act on recommendations by members, and to inform members of actions taken;
5. to establish and discharge committees, either on recommendation of the membership or on its own initiative, and to designate their chairs;
6. {Amended 2004} to oversee publications, media, and archives of the association, including appointing, assisting, and advising the editor of the association journal and the association historian;
7. to plan conventions and other meetings of the association.
VII. Association Meetings.
A. {Amended 2002} The association shall hold business meetings during either the Native American Literature Symposium or its own convention, if any, and during the annual Modern Language Association convention.
B. The association shall hold conventions at times and places determined by the Executive Committee. In an emergency, the Executive Committee shall have the power to cancel a convention.
C. Conventions shall be planned by the Executive Committee with the advice of a program committee appointed by the Executive Committee.
D. Association sessions at the annual Modern Language Association convention shall be planned by session chairs appointed by the Executive Committee.
VIII. Amendments.
A. Proposals for amendments to these by-laws may be initiated by the Executive Committee or by any association member.
B. {Amended 2002} All amendments to be brought before the membership shall be published at least ninety days before the business meeting at which they are to be voted on or mailed to members at least thirty days before the business meeting.
C. Amendments must be approved by a majority of those voting at the business meeting. With the approval of those present at such a meeting, the Executive Committee may choose to conduct the voting among the entire membership by mail.
IX. Dissolution.
A. The association may be dissolved only by a vote of the members present at a special meeting called for that purpose.
B. On the dissolution of the association, all property remaining after the satisfaction of the association's obligations shall be distributed as the Executive Committee directs, choosing the recipients from non-profit Native American educational institutions whose goals are consistent with the interests of the association.
N.B. At the 12/29/90 business meeting, the membership directed the officers to proceed with incorporation. If the above document is passed by ASAIL members, the officers shall take such acceptance as authority to add to the by-laws immediately (without recourse to the above amending procedure) such language as incorporation may require.
APPENDIX D
Sample Membership Application
A S A I L
Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures
c/o Siobhan Senier
Dept of English
Univ of New Hampshire
Hamilton Smith Hall
95 Main St.
Durham NH 03824
Thank you for your interest in ASAIL. One of our primary purposes in the Association is to keep our members informed of recent publications and developments in the field of American Indian Literatures. ASAIL's dues-paying membership is open to all individuals and institutions interested in furthering the goals of the Association. Benefits of ASAIL membership include participation in the ASAIL electronic discussion group, voting privileges at the annual ASAIL meeting held during the MLA Convention, and a subscription to SAIL: Studies in American Indian Literatures. Published quarterly, SAIL is the only journal in the United States which focuses exclusively on American Indian literatures. With a wide scope of scholars and creative contributors, the journal is always on the cutting edge of activity in the field.
2006 Association membership rates are listed below.
Copies of the 1993 (v.5) through 2003 (v.15) volumes of SAIL are still available to individuals for $25 and to institutions for $35. For issues and volumes from 2004 onward, please contact University of Nebraska Press.
Please mail payment (in U.S. dollars only, please--check, money order, or cash are all acceptable) and this form to ASAIL Membership / c/o Siobhan Senier / Dept of English / Univ of New
Hampshire / Hamilton Smith Hall / 95 Main St. / Durham NH 03824. Note: all checks and money orders must be made payable to "UNH."
ASAIL membership rates for 2006: (circle one)
| REGULAR INDIVIDUAL | $30 |
| LIMITED INCOME | 20 |
| SPONSOR | 50 |
| PATRON | 100 |
Overseas members: please add $20 for SAIL postage
BACK ISSUES: @ $25 each (individuals) / $35 each (institutions) (circle vol[s]. ordered):
| VOL.5 (1993) | VOL.9 (1997) | VOL.13 (2001) |
| VOL.6 (1994) | VOL.10 (1998) | VOL.14 (2002) |
| VOL.7 (1995) | VOL.11 (1999) | VOL.15 (2003) |
| VOL.8 (1996) | VOL.12 (2000) |
(For issues and volumes 2004 - , please contact University of Nebraska Press)
TOTAL ENCLOSED $___________
NAME__________________________________________________ PHONE___________________
MAILING ADDRESS_____________________________________________E-MAIL______________
CITY________________________________________STATE___________ZIPCO DE____________
( ) Please check here to authorize us to add your email address to the ASAIL-L, a closed, moderated online discussion group restricted to ASAIL members and certain other invited guests.
1999 REPORT TO THE PROGRAM COMMITTEE
OF THE MODERN LANGUAGE ASSOCIATION
FOR RENEWAL OF ALLIED STATUS FOR THE
ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF
AMERICAN INDIAN LITERATURES (ASAIL)
The members of the Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures (ASAIL), an allied organization of the Modern Language Association, petition the Program Committee of MLA to renew ASAIL's allied status.
I. HISTORY OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF AMERICAN INDIAN LITERATURES (ASAIL), 1972-1999.
Founded at the 1972 MLA Conference by Randall Ackly, Larry Evers, Wayne Franklin, Kenneth Roemer, Per Seyersted, and Leslie Silko, the Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures (ASAIL) currently has more than 400 members, many of whom are actively involved in the work of the organization. During the past twenty-seven years, ASAIL has sponsored discussion panels, workshops, and readings which have attracted not only American Indian scholars and writers, but also a number of non-Native scholars as well. ASAIL has solicited proposals for these sessions through announcements in the MLA Newsletter and in ASAIL's two publications: Studies in American Indian Literatures (SAIL) and ASAIL Notes. At MLA 1998 in San Francisco, approximately 100 people attended a poetry reading sponsored by ASAIL. This reading, chaired by Ginny Carney, President of ASAIL, featured four West Coast Native poets: Gloria Bird (Spokane), Nora Dauenhauer (Tlingit), Janice Gould (Maidu), and Deborah Miranda (Ohlone/Costanoan). In fact, each year ASAIL-sponsored sessions draw enthusiastic crowds, after which ASAIL receives an average of 15-20 new requests for membership. [See Appendix A for a list of those elected to ASAIL's Executive Committee, 1980-1998, and Appendix B for a complete list of MLA Programs from 1980-1998.]
Thus, ASAIL's record of presenting well-organized and well-attended sessions at the annual MLA Conference alone merits continued allied status for the organization. Another impressive accomplishment, however, is its sponsorship of two longstanding publications: Studies in American Indian Literatures (SAIL) and ASAIL Notes. SAIL, the official journal of the association, is "the only scholarly journal in the United States that focuses exclusively on American Indian literatures. The journal publishes reviews, interviews, bibliographies, creative work, and scholarly, critical and theoretical articles on any aspect of Native American literatures, including traditional oral material in dual-language format or translation, written works, and live and media performances of verbal art." SAIL 9:3 (Fall 1997) also included an extensive "Guide to Native American Studies Programs in the United States and Canada," a primary resource for those seeking to teach or enroll in Native American Studies.
In its early stages, SAIL was edited briefly by Wayne Franklin (University of Iowa). The editorship moved to Karl Kroeber (Columbia University) who began the quarterly publication of the first series of Studies in American Indian Literatures in the Spring of 1977. Professor Kroeber continued to edit SAIL until 1987 when he published the last of the first series: Vol. 11, No. 2. Between 1987 and 1989, SAIL was published in two to three columns in Dispatch, a publication of a multicultural program at Columbia University. In 1989, under the leadership of the new editor, Helen Jaskoski (California State University, Fullerton), Studies in American Indian Literatures took on new life as Series 2. Dr. Jaskoski has assistance with the first two issues from Daniel Littlefield and James Parins (University of Arkansas, Little Rock), but at that time, Robert Nelson (University of Richmond) officially assumed the role of co-editor-- a position he continues to hold today. In 1992, Rodney Simard (UC, San Bernardino) took over as editor of SAIL when Helen Jaskoski was forced to resign, due to illness. In 1994, Professor Simard, too, fell ill, and John Lloyd Purdy (Western Washington University) was asked to serve as editor. Under the leadership of John Purdy and Robert Nelson, the journal--once a staple-bound publication of 36 pages, with no more than 40 subscribers--now has a mailing list of 400+ subscribers, representing more than a dozen foreign countries, as well as almost every state in the USA.
Another publication, ASAIL Notes, was initiated in January 1973 as the ASAIL Newsletter. Four issues followed, and in 1984, Andrew Wiget (New Mexico State University) became editor of this quarterly newsletter which served as a medium of information and scholarly resources for teachers and students of Native American literature. In 1987, John Lloyd Purdy took over as editor of ASAIL Notes and continued in that role until 1994, when he became editor of SAIL. At that time, Michael Wilson (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee) took over. In 1997, Scott Stevens (Arizona State University) agreed to edit ASAIL Notes, and currently, more than 600 copies are mailed out to subscribers, special programs, libraries, and other interested individuals.
As an allied organization of MLA, the Association for the Study of American Literatures often collaborates with the American Indian Literatures Discussion Group, coordinating our panel sessions with theirs and holding a joint business meeting each year during the MLA Conference. Additionally, members of ASAIL coordinate their efforts with, and participate in, the activities of the Committee on the Literatures and Languages of America.
II. ONGOING ACTIVITY
Since its inception in 1972, ASAIL has actively and continuously participated in regional and national MLA conferences [see Appendix B for ASAIL-sponsored MLA programs from 1980-1998]. In order to reach a diverse audience, official communications and Calls for Papers are mailed to individuals and institutions, as well as announced in the MLA Newsletter, ASAIL's two publications, and the ASAIL website.
Furthermore, ASAIL has an active history of publications. Series I of the official journal of the association, Studies in American Indian Literatures (SAIL), was published from 1977-1987, and SAIL, Series 2, has been published regularly since 1989. ASAIL Notes, the association newsletter, has been published regularly since 1987. Additionally, a website, maintained by Robert Nelson (University of Richmond) can be accessed at [/faculty/asail] providing information on ASAIL, subscription forms, and a guide to Native American Studies programs in the United States and Canada.
III. DIVERSE PARTICIPATION IN ASAIL ACTIVITIES
The Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures has actively encouraged participation from scholars and writers from various disciplines, and from non-Native as well as Native backgrounds. ASAIL has emphasized the importance of involving American Indian, Alaska Native, and First Nation scholars in every aspect of the organization, and at the 1998 MLA Conference in San Francisco, six presenters/poetry readers, from a total of sixteen participants in ASAIL sessions, were tribally affiliated Natives. As noted above, ASAIL organized a well-attended Poetry Reading by West Coast Native women at MLA 1998, and plans for the 1999 MLA Conference in Chicago include a session devoted to literature published in indigenous languages, organized by Joanne DiNova (Ojibwa), University of Waterloo, Ontario, and a session on teaching American Indian literature, which will be chaired by Ginny Carney (Cherokee), University of Kentucky.
In addition to encouraging participation by American Indians/First Nation/Alaska Native scholars, ASAIL has actively involved distinguished non-Native scholars such as Helen Jaskoski, Karl Kroeber, Arnold Krupat, Ken Roemer, and LaVonne Ruoff in the ongoing work of the organization. Our policy has been to advertise Calls for Papers in Studies in American Indian Literatures, ASAIL Notes, and the MLA Newsletter so that a broad spectrum of creative writers and scholars, including departments other than English, are encouraged to participate in ASAIL activities.
IV. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures was founded in 1972.
The purpose of the organization shall be to promote study, criticism, and research on the oral traditions and literatures of Native Americans; to promote the teaching of such traditions and literatures, and to support and encourage contemporary Native American writers and the continuity of Native American oral traditions.
V. ASAIL' S BYLAWS
Please see Appendix C for ASAIL's bylaws, which were revised and approved by ASAIL membership in March 1991.
VI. CURRENT MEMBERSHIP
ASAIL currently has over 400 members, including scholars from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and Norway as well as from the United States. Please see Appendix D for a sample membership application.
VII. DESCRIPTION OF DUES STRUCTURE
ASAIL maintains five categories of membership:
Individual membership: $ 25
Institutional membership: $ 35
Limited income membership: $ 16
Sponsor: $ 50
Patron: $100
Benefits of ASAIL membership include subscriptions to SAIL and the newsletter ASAIL Notes; donations at the Sponsor and Patron level are acknowledged in the concurrent volume of SAIL.
Respectfully submitted,
Ginny Carney, President (1998-99)
Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures (ASAIL)
MLA Programs Arranged by the
Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures
1980 - 2008
2008
Indigenous Aesthetics. Presiding: Susan Berry Brill de Ramírez, Bradley Univ.
Digital NDNs: Pedagogies for American Indian Writing and Literature in the Twenty-First Century. Presiding: Malea D. Powell, Michigan State Univ.
2007
Native Visions: Approaches to Teaching First Nations / Native American Film. Presiding: Beth H. Piatote, UC Berkeley
The Big Three-Oh: Studies in American Indian Literatures Special Anniversary Session. Presiding: Malea D. Powell, Michigan State U
Speakers: James H. Cox, U of Texas, Austin; Daniel Heath Justice, U of Toronto; Malea D. Powell; A. LaVonne Brown Ruoff, U of Illinois, Chicago
2006
American Indian Literatures in Global Contexts. Presiding: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State U
Teaching the American Indian Boarding School Experience. Presiding: Deborah A. Miranda, Washington and Lee U
2005
Broadening the Conversation: Teaching beyond the Canonical Native Writers. Presiding: Debra K.S. Barker, U of Wisconsin, Eau Claire;
Connie Augustine Jacobs, San Juan College
Speakers: Granville Ganter, Saint John's U, NY; Virginia Kennedy, U of Scranton; Siobhan Senier, U of New Hampshire, Durham; Kenneth Morrison
Roemer, U of Texas, Arlington; James K. Ruppert, U of Alaska, Fairbanks
Ethics and American Indian Cultures. Presiding: Christina A. Roberts, U of Arizona
2004
Problems in Applying Feminist Theory to Native American Literature. Presiding: Patrice E.M. Hollrah, U of Nevada, Las Vegas
American Indian Literature and Visual Culture. Presiding: Dean Rader, U of San Francisco
2003
Opening Our Canon: Teaching Lesser-Known Native Writers. Presiding: Virginia I. Carney, Leech Lake Tribal College
"The Dirt Is Red Here": Literature and Art of Native California. Presiding: Deborah A. Miranda, Pacific Lutheran U
Speakers: Greg Sarris, Loyola Marymount U; Sylvia Ross, Lemon Grove, CA; L. Frank Manriquez, Sebastopol, CA; Frank LaPena, California State U,
Sacramento
2002
Native Literature in Native Classrooms: The Challenge of Teaching in a Tribal College. Presiding: Patrice E.M. Hollrah, U of Nevada, Las
Vegas
Constructing Indigenous Consciousness in Colonizing Languages. Presiding: Daniel Heath Justice, U of Toronto
2001
Teaching American Indian Literatures in Multicultural Contexts. Presiding: Eric Gary Anderson
American Indian Protest Literatures. Presiding: Malea D. Powell, U of Nebraska, Lincoln
2000
Uncanonized American Indian and First Nations Writers. Presiding: Malea D. Powell, U of Nebraska, Lincoln
Teaching Native American Literature from an Indigenous Perspective. Presiding: Joanne R. DiNova, U of Waterloo
1999
North American Literature in Indigenous Languages. Presiding: Joanne DiNova, U of Waterloo
Teaching Native American Literature from an Indigenous Perspective. Presiding: Ginny Carney, Eastern Kentucky U
Reception in Honor of Karl Kroeber. Speakers: A. LaVonne Brown Ruoff,. Univ of Illinois, Chicago; Gene U. Ruoff, U of Illinois, Chicago; Robert M. Nelson, U of Richmond.
1998
Indigenous Feminisms: Native Women Writers. Presiding: Susan B. Brill, Bradley U
Indigenous Texts in Colonial and Postcolonial Contexts. Presiding: Chadwick Allen, Ohio State U, Columbus
1997
To Celebrate Canada's First Nations: A Reading by Thomas King. Presiding: Susan Scarberry-Garcia, Navajo Preparatory School
Joint Business Meeting of the Division on American Indian Literatures and the Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures. Presiding: Susan Scarberry-Garcia, Navajo Preparatory School, and Alanna Brown, Montana State U
1996
Performance of The Star Quilter, a One-Act Play by William Yellow Robe, Jr. Presiding: Gloria Bird, Institute of American Indian Arts
Convergencies/Divergencies: The Making of Worlds in American Indian Poetry. Presiding: Janice Gould, U of New Mexico
1995
Identity and Intentionality: Native Language Presence in Contemporary Texts. Presiding: Frederick H. White, Azusa Pacific U
Regionalism in American Indian Literature. Presiding: Melissa Hearn, Northern Michigan U
1994
Return to Native Languages. Presiding: Fred H. White, U of California, Los Angeles
American Indian Literature in the Curriculum: Strategies and Resources. Presiding: Kathryn W. Shanley, Cornell U
Speakers: LaVonne Brown Ruoff, U of Illinois, Chicago; James K. Ruppert, U of Alaska Fairbanks; Kathryn W. Shanley
1993
Intellectual Property Rights in Native North America: Whose Story Is This Anyway? Presiding: David L. Moore, Cornell U
Film and Theater in Native North America. Presiding: James Ruppert, U of Alaska Fairbanks
1992
Gender and Gay and Lesbian Studies in Native American Literature. Presiding: Gretchen Ronnow, Wayne State College
Literature in Native Languages. Presiding: Luci Tapahonso, U of Kansas
1991
"Authenticity" and Authorship: Tracking Signs in Native American Texts. Presiding: John Purdy, Western Washington U
Kashaya-Pomo Texts: Women Talking Stories. Presiding: Greg Sarris, U of California, Los Angeles
Speakers: Anita Silva, Sonoma County Indian Health Center; Violet Chappell, Kashaya-Pomo Reservation; Vanna Lawson, Santa Rosa CA
1990
The Other Captives: American Indian Oral Captivity Narratives. Presiding: Peter G. Beidler, Lehigh U
From the Heart of Indian Country: Oral and Written Art in Contemporary Native American Communities. Presiding: Franchot Ballinger, U of Cincinnati
1989
Reconstructive Encounters: American Indian Literatures and American Classics. Presiding: Kenneth M. Roemer, U of Texas, Arlington
Encounters in the Oral Tradition: Native American Stories of Cultural Contact. Presiding: Franchot Ballinger, U of Cincinnati
1988
American Indian Women: Voices Past and Present. Presiding: Gretchen Bataille, Arizona State U
American Indian Video Art. Presiding: James Ruppert, U of Alaska Fairbanks
1987
American Indian Literatures. Presiding: James W. Parins, U of Arkansas, Little Rock
Directions of American Indian Literatures. Presiding: Kathleen Sands, Arizona State U
1986
Native American Oral Texts: Interpretations and Transcriptions. Presiding: Paul Zolbrod
Native American Poetry, Song, and Short Fiction. Presiding: Daniel F. Littlefield, U of Arkansas, Little Rock
1985
Teaching Native American Oral Literatures: A Workshop. Presiding: Franchot Ballinger, U of Cincinnati
Speakers: Elaine Jahner, Dartmouth College; Janice Grow-Maienza, St. Mary's College; LaVonne Ruoff; U of Illinois, Chicago; Andrew O. Wiget,
New Mexico State U
Native American Writers and the American Literary Traditions. Presiding: Susan Scarberry-Garcia, Colorado College
1984
Themes and Motifs in American Indian Literatures. Presiding: Franchot Ballinger, U of Cincinnati
Oral Literature and the Problematics of Textuality. Presiding: Andrew Wiget, New Mexico State U
1983
American Indian Literature and the American Literary Canon. Presiding: Elaine Jahner, U of Nebraska, Lincoln
Speakers: Roy Harvey Pearce, U of California, San Diego; Paula Gunn Allen, U of California, Berkeley; Arnold Krupat, Sarah Lawrence College
Comparative Studies of American Indian and Other American Literatures. Presiding: Elaine Jahner, U of Nebraska, Lincoln
1982
Verbal Art, Visual Art, and American Indian Literature. Presiding: Larry Evers, U of Arizona
Speakers: Wendy Rose, U of California, Berkeley; Leslie Marmon Silko, U of Arizona
Teaching American Indian Literature. Presiding: Franchot Ballinger, U of Cincinnati
1981
The Traditional Native Text in Process: Transcription, Translation, Presentation, and Interpretation. Presiding: Jarold Ramsey, U of Rochester
Participants: Joel Sherzer, U of Texas, Austin; Dell Hymes, Univ. of Pennsylvania
1980
Native American Oral Literatures: The Power of the Word. Presiding: LaVonne Brown Ruoff, U of Illinois, Chicago
2009 ASAIL BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
Isleta Casino & Resort, Albuquerque, New Mexico
February 28, 2009 / 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Number in attendance: 32
I. CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
Patrice opened by giving thanks to the Clan mothers and the Isleta people. She also asked those in attendance to take a moment of silence to honor those who passed last year.
II. INTRODUCTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Patrice introduced the members of the Executive Committee: Patrice Hollrah, President; Jodi Byrd, Vice-President; Treasurer, Robert Nelson (for Ellen Arnold); Secretary, Christina Roberts; Historian, Robert Nelson; SAIL General Editor, Daniel Heath Justice; SAIL Managing Editor, James Cox.
III. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Film: No updates reported by Denise Cummings, but Patrice informed those in attendance that Denise was responsible for bringing The Exiles to NALS.
B. Pedagogy: Patrice reported that there is a need for a new head of the pedagogy sub-committee since Barbara Cook requested to step down. Nancy Peterson reported that there haven't been email exchanges in quite some time, but she will email other members of committee to initiate discussion.
C. Native Languages: Margaret (Meg) Noori reported that there was a good connection to Native literatures and languages at the Modern Language Association (MLA). She also mentioned that translation is big at the MLA, and there is room for Indigenous languages to be a big part of this area. She also stated that elders are passing away at an alarming rate, which makes work on Indigenous languages even more critical.
IV. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS
Treasurer: Robert (Bob) Nelson gave the treasurer report for outgoing treasurer Ellen Arnold. Bob indicated that the organization is solvent and currently has $29,000 in the bank. He mentioned that this amount will decrease by approximately $6,000 for the publication of the next volume of SAIL, and there will also be a $300 fee for filing if the organization decided to follow through with filing of 501(c)(3) status.
Secretary: Christina Roberts updated the members on the ASAIL panels at the 2009 MLA conference. The two panels will be "Indians 101: Teaching Early American Indian Literatures" (Chair: James Ruppert) and "Indians 102: Teaching Contemporary American Indian Literatures" (Chair: Joseph Bauerkemper).
Historian: Robert reported that the organization is still acquiring history.
SAIL update: General Editor, Daniel Heath Justice, reported that the 2nd issue of volume 21 is complete. He also mentioned that there is interest in adding a forum section, so he asked people to consider submitting letters about work going on in tribal communities, important events, and other points that might be of interest to members and those who read SAIL. Daniel reported that the Editorial Board will be expanding, and since there is a backlog of article and book reviews, there has been a pause on special issues of SAIL. There is a desire to have a 4-month turnover for manuscripts, but there is currently a 6-month to 1-year timeline, because of the need for reviewers. Daniel asked members to consider reviewing articles, especially if they haven't in the last year, and asked for established scholars to submit material to SAIL for publication. Managing Editor, James Cox, reiterated Daniel's points and mentioned that there are back issues of SAIL available if anyone is interested. Daniel also recognized the invaluable assistance of the editorial assistants.
President: Patrice mentioned that food has been provided at the business meeting per Lisa Tatonetti's request last year. She also reported that, in light of the consistent challenges for the ASAIL treasurer, she has been reviewing how other organizations, such as the Association for the Study of Literatures and the Environment (ASLE), handle finances. She concluded by acknowledging the assistance of the office assistance at East Carolina University, Brandy Dashnau, who has been assisting Ellen with the treasurer duties. A card has been sent to her to thank her for her assistance.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Elections for Treasurer and Secretary:
1. Patrice asked for nomination for ASAIL Treasurer. After no one was nominated, Patrice reported that Bob Nelson offered to take over responsibilities and mentioned that the duties should improve after incorporation. Bob noted that the by-laws permit for extenuating circumstances to allow for the nomination and election of a treasurer separate from the business meeting. Bob volunteered to take over the duties until after incorporation.
2. Patrice called for nominations for Secretary. Christina Roberts nominated Amy Hamilton, assistant professor at Northern Michigan University, who introduced herself to the members. Patrice asked if there were additional nominations. No other nominations were made, so Kenneth Roemer moved for closing of nomination, which was seconded and approved. Bob Nelson then moved to vote by acclamation and members elected Amy.
B. ASAIL Incorporation: Bob Nelson reported that the Articles of Incorporation are ready to be submitted in Virginia. Once the Articles have been submitted, he'll be able to open a bank account. Members discussed the need for a national, easily accessible bank. Bob then stated that ASAIL will have 15 months to get approval from the IRS for 501(c)(3) status. Patrice called for another vote on whether or not to incorporate, a motion was moved to approve, which was seconded and approved by members.
C. Update Website: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the website update was delayed, but Christina and Daniel will work together on a new design for the ASAIL website. The goal is to have the new website complete by next year.
D. ASAIL Pedagogical Review Board sub-committee: Patrice mentioned to the members a request by Barbara Robins to have an additional sub-committee devoted to pedagogical review for members who need ASAIL support for curriculum updates. Members discussed the request and suggested that existing sub-committees handle these matters. Members also discussed the need for sub-committees to get the Executive Committee's approval before using ASAILÆs name. The suggestion that existing sub-committees handle these requests was seconded and approved.
E. Graduate Student Travel Scholarships: Patrice solicited member feedback on travel scholarships. Members discussed the need for a statement that specifies the process of awarding travel monies and that the scholarship support the delivery of papers at conference venues like NALS, the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA), and possibly the MLA. There was also a request to rename the scholarship to ASAIL Emergent Scholar Fellowship in order to add prestige to the award. After a period of discussion, Patrice moved to have the editors of SAIL draft a statement to include in the journal and on the website, which was seconded and approved by members.
VI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
A. Patrice asked Christina to come forward and presented her with a gift to recognize her service to ASAIL.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
A. Prior to adjournment, Jodi Byrd asked about the need to choose MLA panels for the 2011 conference (the conference will not be held in 2010 since it is moving to January). There was insufficient time left to complete the process, so it will be handled via email.
B. Patrice adjourned the meeting.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
A. President Patrice Hollrah called meeting to order and thanked the Clan Mothers and Brother (Steering Committee) and the Native American Literature Symposium (NALS) for allowing ASAIL to hold its business meeting during the Symposium. She mentioned that ASAIL sponsored a break at NALS and will continue to in the future. She also thanked the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Thank you to the Clan Mothers of the Native American Literature Symposium (NALS)
II. INTRODUCTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Patrice recognized outgoing President, Debra Barker, introduced herself as the Incoming President, and introduced the other executive committee officers and their duties - Treasurer, Ellen Arnold; Secretary, Christina Roberts; Historian, Robert Nelson; SAIL General Editor, Daniel Justice (in absentia); SAIL Managing Editor, James Cox (in absentia)
III. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. SAIL. Christina read the status of the journal that was submitted by SAIL General Editor, Daniel Justice and SAIL Managing Editor, James Cox. Jane Hafen shared the status of the SAIL book reviews (there are over 20 in backlog, but they will be published in the next editions) with members.
B. Treasurer. Ellen reported that there is over $25,000 in the treasury and approximately $6,400 has been added since she took over the position of
treasurer. She also reported that the organization now has under 200 members, and the organization and members should encourage new memberships.
She mentioned that no money has been spent, other than ASAIL's sponsorship of the break at NALS. Ellen raised issue about increase in production
costs for SAIL. She reported that the organization now pays $29.60 per SAIL subscription, which means that the current membership rate ($30) is
inadequate. The issue was tabled until after executive committee reports.
At this time, a member raised the question about whether or not those who are published in SAIL are required to be members. Brief discussion
ensued, and Patrice called for a vote. The members unanimously agreed to this requirement. After the vote, a member suggested that the organization
require membership at the time of publication. Another vote was called for, and all but one member agreed to the amendment. Patrice noted that this
discussion and vote should be relayed to the editors of SAIL.
Members also participated in a discussion about the possibility for a graduated scale for membership dues. Ellen noted that there are very few patron
memberships, and she let the members know that many memberships (graduate student and fixed income) are already subsidized.
Lisa Tatonetti suggested that the organization consider food for next year's business meeting to encourage more member participation. There was
also as suggestion to make the notice in the NALS program more inviting to conference participants.
C. Historian. Bob mentioned the website updates and noted that the website will start migrating, but the ASAIL materials will remain available during the migration process. Christina, Bob, and Debra's assistant, Amber, will work together to transition the website.
D. Secretary. Christina reported to members that she will forward the 2008 MLA panel titles to the organization via the ASAIL list serve. She will also forward a draft of the business meeting minutes to the members for revision and approval.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. ASAIL Brochure Project. Debra discussed the brochure in detail and showed the members present the prototype for the brochure. She reported that 1000-1500 brochures will be printed.
B. Elections for Vice-President. Patrice introduced the two candidates - Jodi Byrd (Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma), American Indian Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Margaret Noori (Ojibwe), Ojibwe Language & Literature, Program in American Culture, University of Michigan - and asked members if there were any additional nominations. Jodi read her statement and Christina read Margaret's statement. Ballots were passed out and members elected Jodi Byrd to the office of Vice-President.
C. Travel Money for Graduate Students. Patrice informed members that the organization can fund up to 10 $300 travel scholarships for graduate students. She also noted that the new website will include a link for graduate students to submit an application for a travel scholarship.
D. Subcommittee Reports
1. Membership. Denise Cummings had to leave early for a film conference, and there were no updates.
2. Native Film. No updates. Patrice noted that there is a good chance that NALS will have a special focus on film in the future.
3. Native Languages. Christina read the statement that Margaret Noori provided.
4. Pedagogy. Ellen read the statement that Barbara Cook provided. Barbara wants to invite someone to take over the committee on pedagogy. She asked that people contact her if they are interested.
E. MLA 2009 Panels. Patrice mentioned that the organization consider planning
MLA panel topics at the business meetings at NALS instead of the MLA. Since there were no objections, Patrice asked for members to recommend panel suggestions. Bob reminded members of previous session titles, and Debra suggested a focus on pedagogy. After brief discussion, Jane Hafen suggested Indians 101 and after a series of revisions the members decided on two session topics: Indians 101 - Teaching Early American Indian Literatures and Indians 102 - Teaching Contemporary American Indian Literatures.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS, HONORINGS, AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Thank you to Debra Barker. Patrice thanked Debra for her years of service and presented her with a gift. Debra thanked the organization for the opportunity.
VI. ADJOURNMENT. Meeting adjourned at 1:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Christina Roberts
ASAIL Secretary
2007 ASAIL BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
Saturday, March 10, 2007
12:40-1:30 P.M.
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, MI
Members present: 27
I. Call to order and Welcome. President Debra thanked the Clan Mothers and Brother (Steering Committee) of the Native American Literature Symposium (NALS) for allowing ASAIL to hold its business meeting during the Symposium. She also thanked the Seventh Generation Program and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan for the traditional feast at the Elijah Elk Center.
II. Introduction of Executive Committee. Debra introduced the Executive Committee consisting of Vice-President, Patrice Hollrah; Outgoing Treasurer, Siobhan Senier; Outgoing Secretary, Lisa Tatonetti (in absentia); Historian, Robert Nelson; Outgoing SAIL Editor, Malea Powell (in absentia); Incoming SAIL General Editor, Daniel Justice (in absentia); Incoming SAIL Managing Editor, James Cox (in absentia).
III. Executive Committee Reports
Vice President:
A. Patrice Hollrah had no business to report.
Secretary:
A. Debra read Secretary Lisa Tatonetti's minutes from the MLA 2006 DAIL Business Meeting. MLA Convention dates will change from December to
January beginning in 2010.
B. ASAIL panels for MLA 2007, Chicago, will be (1) 30th Anniversary of ASAIL, co-chaired by Malea Powell and Daniel Justice; and (2) Critical Approaches to Teaching First Nations / Native American Film, chaired by Beth Piatote.
C. DAIL panels for MLA 2007 will be (1) Red and Black: Comparative Symbols of Survival chaired by Chezia Thompson Cager; and (2) Native Languages, co-chaired by Fred White and Simon Ortiz.
D. There will be a field trip to The Newberry Library.
E. Fewer members are attending ASAIL and DAIL panels at MLA, and there was discussion about how to increase those numbers.
F. The Committee on the Literatures of People of Color in the United States and Canada (CLPCUSC) endorsed the "Statement on Indigenous Languages of the World" developed by the Ad Hoc Committee on Native American Languages and approved by the executive committee of the Division on American Indian Literatures. The statement was approved by the MLA Executive Council at its 23-24 February 2007 meeting.
Treasurer:
A. Siobhan Senier summarized her research into a 501/C/3 status for ASAIL. The attorney discouraged the move because ASAIL would have to worry
about back taxes, etc. There was a motion to keep ASAIL's funds under university accounts, which was passed by the membership.
Historian:
A. Bob Nelson announced that the PDF files for SAIL Journal articles are online at the website:
http://oncampus.richmond.edu/faculty/ASAIL/sail-hp.html
B. Bob noted that there is a membership form at the website for those who want to join ASAIL.
IV. New Business
A. Elections: Christina Roberts was nominated for Secretary of ASAIL, and Ellen Arnold was nominated for Treasurer of ASAIL. Ballots were passed out and counted by Patrice Hollrah and Siobhan Senier; and both nominees were elected and congratulated as the new Secretary and Treasurer of ASAIL for 2007-2009.
B. ASAIL Brochure Project: Debra reported that she had arranged for University of Wisconsin students to design a new brochure for ASAIL, and she requested that members e-mail her suggestions for information that should be highlighted in the brochure. Chad Allen recommended that Debra ask members for suggestions through the ASAIL listserv.
C. Travel Money for Graduate Students: Debra reminded members that there are funds available for graduate students to attend NALS and MLA. The details for applying for funds will be forthcoming.
D. Opportunity for Graduate Students: Debra announced a call for Native graduate students for The Committee on the Literatures of People of Color in the United States and Canada (CLPCUSC). Names are due by January 2008.
E. ASAIL Membership Dues: Because the University of Nebraska Press needs the mailing list of SAIL subscribers by February, dues ideally should be received and processed by the treasurer in November. Various ways of reminding members to pay their dues were discussed.
F. Hopewell Mounds: Chad Allen asked the members to approve a letter of support from ASAIL as the petitioning organization in an effort to gain World Heritage Site Status for the Hopewell Mounds in Newark, Ohio. His request was approved, and he agreed to write the letter.
G. Subcommittee Reports: Angelica Lawson stepped down from the Native Languages subcommittee, and Margaret Noori agreed to be the new
chair. Angelica proposed a new subcommittee on Native Film and offered to be the chair.
Ellen Arnold announced that the Pedagogy subcommittee had edited a special issue of SAIL on pedagogy, and she thanked Barbara Cook for her
work on that issue. As Ellen was elected the new Treasurer of ASAIL, she stepped down from the Pedagogy subcommittee, and Barbara Cook agreed
to be the new chair.
Denise Cummings reported on the New Membership subcommittee and using the new ASAIL brochure as a marketing tool to attract new
members, as well as the idea of required membership in order to publish in SAIL.
V. Announcements, Honorings, and Presentations
A. Debra noted her appreciation for the acknowledgement in the NALS Program of those who passed away in 2006. She asked for a moment of silence for Bud Hirsch, who "was one of us."
B. Debra thanked Siobhan Senier, who stepped down from the Executive Committee this year, and presented her with a gift in appreciation for her good work for the organization.
VI. Adjournment: 1:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Patrice Hollrah
ASAIL Vice-President
2006 ASAIL BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
Saturday, April 8, 2006 , 12:00-1:15 pm
NALS / Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Mount Pleasant, MI
I. CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME
Outgoing President Daniel Heath Justice called the meeting to order. He then welcomed ASAIL members and other visitors and thanked the Native American Literature Symposium organizers and the Saginaw Chippewa.
II. INTRODUCTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Daniel introduced the Executive Committee consisting of himself as Outgoing President, Debra Barker as Incoming President/Outgoing Vice-President, Lisa Tatonetti as Secretary, Siobhan Senier as Treasurer, Robert Nelson as Historian, and Malea Powell as SAIL Editor (in absentia).
III. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORTS
President:
A. Daniel began his report by announcing the organization's completion of its annual seven-year review for its MLA affiliation. The comprehensive
review examines both what the organization has already accomplished and what goals it hopes to attain during the next seven years. Daniel
acknowledged Ginny Carney, whose work for ASAIL was vital to the current review.
B. Daniel also announced the MLA accepted a proposal submitted by the Committee on the Literatures of People of Color in the United States (CLPCUSC) entitled "Guidelines for Good Practices." LaVonne Ruoff was central to the construction and passage of these guidelines, which advocate for best practices in: 1) "the study of the literatures, cultures, and languages of people of color in the U.S."; and 2) "the recruitment, mentoring and evaluation of junior faculty members of color."
C. Daniel concluded by requesting that members forward suggestions for ways to increase ASAIL membership.
Vice-President:
A. Debra discussed the importance of tribal outreach at the local level. She called for the association to do grassroots work that considers foundational
elements of culture.
B. Debra also announced that as a member of the CLPCUSC she was working on a committee focusing on the best ways to support faculty of color. Debra is currently compiling a bibliography to help support the committee's work. She asked for suggestions form ASAIL members. Chad Allen offered to email an extensive bibliography compiled at Ohio State.
Treasurer:
A. Siobhan noted that ASAIL currently has $25, 027.20 in its account.
B. Siobhan also noted that ASAIL membership fees are due. The 2006 membership fee is $30.00. Checks must be made out to the University of New Hampshire.
C. Siobhan then discussed the possibility of ASAIL filing for 5013C (tax-exempt) status. Since this topic had arisen at a number of previous ASAIL meetings, Siobhan researched the details prior to the NALS meeting and drafted the necessary papers with the help of an attorney. She explained that such status may result in complications given the fact that once an association has more than $20,000 in its treasury it is liable for back taxes. There was also some discussion about the filing location since an organization must incorporate in a specific place. Discussion ensued about the various issues at hand and, ultimately, the 5013C papers were signed by the members of the ASAIL Executive Committee.
Secretary:
A. Lisa had no business to report.
Historian:
A. Bob announced that he would soon begin putting series one of SAIL into PDF format so copies of the original documents would be available online.
SAIL Editor:
A. Daniel read Malea's report. Malea began by thanking the ASAIL membership for their support during her tenure as journal editor. She then detailed
the process by which the journal would change hands. Malea will see volumes 18 and 19 through completion. Daniel will begin his editorship of the
journal with volume 20.
B. A list of the contracted journal issues was presented.
C. Discussion ensued about the journal. Patrice Hollrah suggested that we post the upcoming SAIL issues to the ASAIL website. Susan Gardner suggested that we expedite the SAIL acknowledgment process. Linda Helstern noted the possibilities of mail delays since the journal would now be housed at the University of Toronto.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. Elections: Susan Brill de Ramirez and Patrice Hollrah had both been nominated and agreed to run for the position of Vice-President of ASAIL. Both candidates made statements. Lisa passed out ballots and counted votes. Siobhan helped tally the votes. ASAIL thanked both candidates for agreeing to run and congratulated Patrice Hollrah, who is the new Vice-President of ASAIL for 2006-2008 at which time she will move into the position of 2008-2010 President.
B. Subcommittee Reports: Ellen Arnold gave the ASAIL Pedagogy Subcommittee report. She noted that the committee submitted new syllabi to the ASAIL website and encouraged the membership to do the same. In addition, the committee organized two panels for NALS: "Teaching the Contexts" chaired by Ellen Arnold, and "Generations: A Roundtable Discussion on Teaching American Indian Literatures and American Indian Studies," chaired by Eric Anderson. Finally, the committee proposed a special issue of SAIL on pedagogy, edited by Susan Gardner, Barbara Cook, and Lynn Domina. The committee hopes that this forthcoming issue will form the basis of a teaching guide that the committee will work on in the near future.
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS, HONORINGS, AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Daniel honored Malea on behalf of ASAIL for her tireless work as the SAIL editor. He cited the journal's transformation under her watch and offered ASAIL's heartfelt thanks for her commitment. Finally, Daniel noted that Malea would be presented with a token of the membership's gratitude.
B. Connie Jacobs announced that she and Debra Barker are compiling a collection of essays on underrepresented authors in American Indian Literatures. Proposals are due at the end of May and essays manuscripts of no more than ten pages will be due by September. The call was subsequently posted to the ASAIL listserv.
C. Susan Gardner noted that there will be an upcoming Vine Deloria tribute conference.
D. Daniel asked that we take a moment to recognize and honor those who have passed away during the previous year.
E. Daniel concluded the meeting by thanking the organization for its support during his time as president and asking that we take good care of each other.
VI. CONCLUSION
A. Debra honored Daniel for his service as Vice President and President of ASAIL. She recognized his important contributions to the organization and presented a token of the organization's gratitude.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Tatonetti
Secretary, ASAIL
Members present: 30
Daniel Justice (President), Debra Barker (Vice-President), Siobhan Senier (Treasurer), Robert Nelson (Historian), Patrice Hollrah (Secretary)
I. CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME: 12:15 p.m.
A. Daniel Justice thanked the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, an enterprise of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and the Clan Mothers
(Steering Committee) of the Native American Literature Symposium (NALS) for allowing ASAIL to hold its business meeting during the Symposium.
II. INTRODUCTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
A. Daniel Justice introduced the ASAIL officers:
1. Debra Barker, Vice-President
2. Patrice Hollrah, Secretary
3. Siobhan Senier, Treasurer
4. Bob Nelson, Historian
5. Malea Powell, Editor of SAIL
III. OLD BUSINESS
A. Executive Committee Reports
B. Daniel Justice expressed his thanks to Patrice Hollrah for her term as secretary and presented her with a gift from ASAIL.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. Elections
B. Subcommittee Reports
C. ASAIL Statement on Academic Freedom
D. Other New Business
V. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. LeAnne Howe thanked the Executive Board for their work and noted that she sees the SAIL journal around the country. She asked the membership to be thinking about the next editor who will need to continue the good work that has been done up till now.
B. Susan Brill de Ramirez asked that membership forms be taken to other venues, such as the Return the Gift Conference and the Association for the Study of Literature and Environment Conference.
C. Deborah Miranda announced the Festival of Native Writers, May 9-10, Washington and Lee University, with featured writers Allison Hedge Coke, Linda Hogan, Janet McAdams, Ron Welburn, and Karenne Wood.
VI. ADJOURNMENT: 1:12 p.m.
2004 ASAIL Business Meeting Minutes
NALS / Saturday, 17 April 2004
Members present: 60
Daniel Justice (President), Chadwick Allen (Outgoing President), Robert Nelson (Treasurer), Patrice Hollrah (Secretary)
I. Call to order: 12:30 p.m.
A. Daniel Justice thanked the Clan Mothers (Steering Committee) of the Native American Literature Symposium (NALS) and Mystic Lake Casino Hotel for allowing ASAIL to hold its business meeting during the Symposium.
B. He also noted that ASAIL and NALS are two separate organizations.
II. Introduction of Officers
A. Daniel Justice introduced the ASAIL officers:
1. Chad Allen, Immediate Past President
2. Bob Nelson, Treasurer
3. Patrice Hollrah, Secretary
4. Malea Powell, Editor of SAIL
III. Old Business
A. Officer Reports
1. Immediate Past President: Chad Allen remarked that being president was a good experience, as was being involved with the listserv, bringing more people into the leadership of ASAIL, and moving the SAIL journal to the University of Nebraska Press. He concluded by saying he was excited about the next years in ASAIL.
2. Vice-President/President: Daniel Justice thanked Chad Allen for his work as President and presented him with two books, one by Greg Scofield and the other by Lee Maracle.
3. Secretary: Patrice Hollrah reported that the officers had been in discussion about creating an officer handbook and about establishing relationships with affiliate organizations. Daniel Justice added that ASAIL was now affiliated with the Society for the Study of American Women Writers.
4. Treasurer: Bob Nelson said that the ASAIL Budget Report is online at the ASAIL website. The current balance is $27,000, and there is $2,000 outstanding debt for Volume 15 of SAIL.
5. Editor--SAIL: Malea Powell stated that there were 50 submissions to SAIL last year, 20 of which were creative writings. She urged people to submit critical essays, and she also called for volunteers to review manuscripts.
a. The timeline from submission to publication is now 18 months, so hitting deadlines is important.
b. Issue 16.3 is going to press, issue 16.4 is a special issue on Simon Ortiz, and issue 17 is a special issue on A. LaVonne Brown Ruoff. There will be more honor editions in the future.
c. There have been conversations about expanding the editorial board membership/staff, and Janet McAdams has been invited to join Joseph Bruchac.
d. The Executive Board of ASAIL and the Editorial Board of SAIL will be in conversation and soliciting feedback regarding the status of the journal.
e. Malea thanked the membership for its continued support and gave a gift to Bob Nelson for all his help, support, guidance, and knowledge regarding the production of SAIL.
f. Daniel gave additional honoring for Bob's service as treasurer and his work with the journal.
IV. Scheduled New Business
A. Elections for Treasurer will take place next year, and an interim treasurer will be appointed.
B. Bylaw Amendments VI.B and VI.C.6 passed. Bob Nelson will be the ASAIL historian.
1. David Moore asked about the future of the ASAIL Newsletter, which has moved to the ASAIL Notes.
2. Kim Roppolo asked about the future of the ASAIL website, which Bob Nelson will continue to manage.
C. Debra Barker and James Cox were the nominees for the Vice-President/President-Elect. They each gave a short platform speech, and Debra Barker was voted the next Vice-President/President Elect.
V. Unscheduled New Business
A. There was no new business.
VI. Announcements
A. A. LaVonne Brown Ruoff has encouraged ASAIL members to become more involved in MLA committees as officers.
B. Malea Powell and Roberta Hill are on the committee for Writers of Color.
C. Scott Andrews asked how elections are different for MLA committees.
D. Chad Allen responded that being on other MLA committees is one way to have an influence on the discussions at higher levels in the organization.
VII. Adjournment: 1:07 p.m.
ASAIL Meeting, Sunday, April 14th, 2002 (Native American Literature Symposium)
MINUTES
I. Meeting called to order at 8:45 a.m.
1. Officers present: Allen, Justice, Powell (Editor)
II. President's Comments
1. Allen addressed journal changes; introduced Powell
III. SAIL Editor's Comments (informal)
1. Powell noted the slow process of transition from the earlier editorial system; also noted the developing improvements:
* Manuscript reviewers now have deadlines for submitting their reviews;
* Quality control: returning more manuscripts that do not meet the needs of the journal; more Revise and Resubmit essays;
* Regularizing book review lengths; longer book review essays will now be going through the manuscript review process;
* Building credibility through improvement of journal and editorial quality;· Physical appearance of SAIL will change to better reflect the professional nature of the journal;
* Editor and editorial board are in the process of negotiating with or developing proposals for a university press to begin printing the journal (three possible options include UP of Nebraska, UP of Minnesota, and Michigan State UP).
2. Powell provided an update about the editorial board and institutional structure of SAIL:
* NEW HOME FOR SAIL: The journal's new home (beginning in July) will be the Department of American Thought and Language at Michigan State University; MSU has pledged significant institutional support for SAIL.
* BOOK REVIEW EDITOR: Eric Gary Anderson has resigned as Book Review Editor; P. Jane Hafen, of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has been selected as the new Book Review Editor.
* EDITORIAL BOARD: Gwen Griffin, of Minnesota State University, Mankato, has been selected as the newest member of the editorial board.
3. Powell discussed the need to unlink ASAIL membership rates from SAIL subscriptions, as this would likely be the only way to retain independent ASAIL funds for other projects and opportunities.
4. In answer to a query about book reviews that would not be published in the journal, Powell reminded the audience that ASAIL Notes, compiled by Robert Nelson (ASAIL Treasurer and webmaster), are available on-line ( http://oncampus.richmond.edu/faculty/asail).
IV. President's Comments (informal)
1. Allen expanded on Powell's points:
* ASAIL does not, at present, have nonprofit organization status; we are now constrained because we need a permanent address--this issue will be resolved once we have contracted with a university press.
* Nonprofit status would change our budgetary status and give us many options for money, including providing scholarships to graduate students, providing honoraria to Native writers at conferences, etc.
* We must consider instituting formal budgetary policies and procedures.
* We should consider unhooking membership from the journal. When the move to a UP takes places, the present rates of $25 will go entirely for subscriptions; thus, we should consider raising some or all fees (esp. institutional) to help defray costs yet still maintain a reasonable price for subscribers and Association members.
2. Allen discussed other issues facing ASAIL at present:
* REPRESENTATION: Some members of ASAIL are claiming to represent the organization in assorted venues; official representation should be through elected officers.
* PUBLICITY: ASAIL/SAIL are still rather obscure; Allen requested that members think of ways to let others know we exist, to increase membership numbers, and to broaden involvement in both the Association and the journal. SAIL is now and should remain the primary venue for cutting-edge scholarship in the discipline, and Allen asked that members think of ways to advertise this status.
* ELECTIONS AND TERMS: Allen asked that members think about the following options:
A. Extension of terms: From two to three or four years?
B. Transition: Should the vice-president automatically become the president, thus ensuring continuity and stability?
C. Location of Meetings: Rather than continue to have the primary business meetings at MLA, perhaps move these to the Native American Literature Symposium, thus allowing for more representation and diversity?
D. Venue: Should we consider a different way of performing elections to ensure the broadest representation possible, such as internet voting or mail-in ballots?
E. MLA: We will not surrender our MLA presence; we will continue to participate in the MLA structure through sponsoring and developing sessions, etc.. These changes would enable us to perform our necessary business in a venue more suitable to the discipline, and preventing other business (such as the Division meeting) from conflicting with ASAIL concerns.
V. Commentary (informal)
1. LeAnne Howe suggested having the primary meeting at the Native American Literature Symposium, thus encouraging live voting.
2. Allen agreed, noting that the ASAIL meeting at the Symposium might increase the reputation and general participation of both.
3. Powell recommended that the organization put the slate of candidates on the listserve.
4. Susan Berry Brill de Ramirez noted her long history with the Association, and she recommended that now is the time for the organization's independence.
5. Gwen Griffin observed that the MLA is disrespectful of Native voices--it is too big, impersonal, and disconnected from the issues and concerns of Native American literary studies. She recommended that we think of ways to prepare our own students for the job market, as we are the most qualified to do so.
6. Allen agreed, suggesting that we think of MLA as the margin rather than the center of scholarly activity in this discipline. He also noted that an Indian
venue is important for the work we do, and asked that audience members provide input on these matters via the ASAIL listserve.
Allen noted that ASAIL has a number of options for next year's symposium, including sponsoring a SAIL issue devoted to or including a follow-up
extension of the symposium; thus, the journal becomes a vehicle to highlight the symposium and the organization; introduced Griffin in her role as
coordinator of the Native American Literature Symposium.
VI. Griffin's Comments (informal)
1. Griffin noted the importance of an Indian venue for the purposes of the scholarly work in Native American studies. She discussed the difficulties of
the ALA Puerto Vallarta conference, particularly its difficult racial dynamics that worked to erase Native presence.
2. Griffin related the history of the conference and gave reasons for the disassociation of the Symposium from the ALA: for reasons above (V.1), expense, and because of the lack of institutional financial accountability. This year's conference broke even due to the new structure and the commitment of the Clan Mothers to fiscal responsibility.
3. Griffin discussed the Indian-centeredness of the Symposium, and acknowledged the generosity of the special guest writers and speakers, all of whom participated without charge, as well as the strong financial support of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Nation, which provided rooms and other assistance for Native students and elders. She shared her hope that the Symposium would, within five years, be the premiere event in Native American literary studies.
VII. Public Commentary (informal)
1. Linda Helstern recommended forming an ancillary committee to provide paid readings for visiting speakers/artists in nearby area venues.
2. de Ramirez suggested raising money for students, from tribes and other sources, to go to other meetings and symposia, such as MLA.
3. Powell responded to Ramirez, noting that ASAIL does provide some financial assistance in this regard and may be able to provide more in the future. She stated that ASAIL should have its own endowment to be able to provide more of these opportunities.
4. Howe, in responding to de Ramirez, asserted that ASAIL should not be competing for tribal money, and that individual students could speak to their own tribes for this funding.
5. Lisa Tatonetti suggested adding a donation note on registration forms for donations for Native student and elder assistance; another option might be to sponsor a Native student and/or elder.
6. Diane Way offered to request her 501(c)3 organization to provide their nonprofit status to ASAIL until we get our own.
7. Griffin discussed possible dates for next year's Symposium.
8. After brief discussion about the drawbacks of changing the date--too many conferences in spring; must avoid MELUS and 4 Cs--general consensus was to keep the Symposium at approximately the same time of year. Some participants discussed the issue of panel overlap and its inevitability with a growing event such as this.
9. Allen recommended more plenary sessions, some after-dinner panels.
10. Griffin agreed to try to book a lounge/hospitality room each night.
11. Tatonetti recommended a student paper competition.
12. Ginny Carney noted that we should avoid being like every other conference; she highlighted the importance of this Symposium's Indian individuality and announced her hope that we will keep the event's values and distinctiveness intact.
13. Griffin agreed with Carney, adding that we are not here to grandstand, pad resumes, or get tenure, but that we are here to ensure the responsibility of scholars and scholarship in Native American literary studies.
VII. Meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.
Contact: Robert Nelson
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