The Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies at Trent University, in conjunction with the School for Canadian Studies at Carleton is pleased to present “Continuing the Conversations: Celebrating Ten Years of the Canadian Studies Ph.D. Program” on May 13 and 14, 2011, at Bagnani Hall, Traill College.

“It was a group of visionary individuals who worked to launch this joint program ten years ago. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate that initiative, our graduates and current students, as well as to take time to reflect on what vision should shape the program in the next decade,” said Dr. Julia Harrison, director of the Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies.

On Friday, May 13, a keynote address by distinguished author Dr. Thomas King will kick off the event. Dr. King will offer his perspective on the field of Canadian studies at the end of the first decade of the 21st century. An opening reception will follow.

On Saturday, May 14, the day will begin with research presentations by graduates and current students. In the afternoon, current Trent and Carleton faculty, guests, graduates and current students will participate in a roundtable discussion titled “Voices and Visions: Who and what should define the next ten years of Canadian Studies. Invited scholars from across the country will then offer their reflections on what they have heard throughout the day. An experimental art presentation, “Icons of Canada,” created by Andrew Hunter and Lisa Hirmer will be featured at a celebratory evening dinner.

Keynote speaker Dr. Thomas King received his Ph.D. in English literature/American Studies from the University of Utah. He came to Canada in 1980 to teach Native literature and history in the Native Studies department at the University of Lethbridge. Dr. King’s first novel, Medicine River (1990) received considerable critical praise and was made into a CBC film. Dr. King’s second novel Green Grass, Running Water (1993) and a children’s book A Coyote Columbus Story (1992) were nominated for Governor General awards. Dr. King has written two collections of short stories, One Good Story, That One (1993) and A Short History of Indians in Canada (2005) while his third novel, Truth and Bright Water, was published in 1999. Critics and reviewers have praised Dr. King’s poignant portrayals of Native people. While his characters are strong in the face of oppression and prejudice, they are also fallible in endearingly humorous ways. In addition to literature, Dr. King has worked in radio and film. His radio show, The Dead Dog Café, ran on CBC for ten years from 1996 to 2006, and he has written and directed two short films, I’m Not the Indian You Had in Mind (2007) and Totem (2009). In 2003, he was the first Native scholar to deliver the prestigious Massey lectures which were published as a book, The Truth about Stories, in the same year. Dr. King currently teaches literature and creative writing at the University of Guelph where he is working on a narrative history of Indians in North America.

For details about registration, speakers and schedule, visit: www.phd10trent.wordpress.com

Posted on Thursday, April 28, 2011.