Call for Papers

NAIITS (North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies) 7thAnnual Symposium
2010

Co-hosted by George Fox University, Newberg, OR
June 10-12, 2010

“In the Beginning: First Nation Narratives of Ontology and Mutuality”

Scope of Topics:

NAIITS invites proposals for papers and panels on the topic First Nation Narratives of Ontology and Mutuality. Papers that utilize any of a broad range of research methodologies will be considered. Submissions should address one or more of the following topics. Submissions on topics that relate clearly to the overall theme also will be considered.

• Traditional Native North American Creation Narratives and Theologies
• Spiritual and Theological implications of multiple narratives of creation
• Indigenous readings of the creation through traditional cultural lenses
• Indigenous readings of the Genesis narrative in light of Evangelical eschatology(ies): engaging the idea of the destruction and replacement of creation
• Indigenous and cultural perspectives on creation, nature, and the sciences
• The meaning and implications of Indigenous creation narratives on the Christian doctrine(s) of creation
• Theological and relational perspectives on the nature of time and of the future

Papers should strive to show how traditional practices within the Native North American contexts and cultural perspectives might be strengthened and implemented, or how new ideas and practices of contextualization might further the goals of Native mission and the advance of Native people in life, service, and ministry following Jesus. Papers should address themselves to traditional ideas of Native Christian faith, as well as contemporary Native Christian thought related to contextualization.

About NAIITS & the Symposium
NAIITS

• Is a non-sectarian Christian organization dedicated to encouraging the Native North American evangelical community to develop and to articulate Native North American perspectives on Christian theology and mission practice;
• Encourages the development and implementation of Native North American learning styles and worldviews through encouraging the development of a body of written work that addresses scriptural, theological, ethical and missiological issues from Native North American perspectives in concert with those of other ethnicities who would speak into this context;
• Seeks to facilitate the creation of a written theological foundation for a) the visioning of new mission paradigms to reach Native North Americans and other Indigenous peoples with the Gospel and b) the contextualization of the Gospel in Native communities;
• Seeks to develop theological partnerships with other cultural communities of Christian faith which will ensure the voice of Christ is heard in all ways and will ensure biblical orthodoxy in all things;
• Is committed to genuine dialogue with the historical traditions of Christianity and values the written and living resources encompassed in these traditions.

The Symposium
The purpose of the symposium is to facilitate open dialogue about various aspects of Contextualization in Native North American history and experience. Symposium planners hope that participants will bring together academic and practical approaches to the issues being addressed in the symposium.

Submission Guidelines
Submissions must include a brief personal bio and both an abstract of not more than 150 words and a proposal for the type of presentation intended of not more than 1000 words. The proposal must include a clear statement of your argument and enough context to show that you are aware of the basic issues and literature of the field. The proposal is the document on which submissions will be evaluated and selected. Abstracts and bios provided for selected submissions will be used in advertisements and symposium materials. Selected papers will be allotted 40 minutes for presentation. There will be respondents for the papers. Selected panels will be allotted 90 minutes.

Submission of Papers
Papers should be theoretically solid and practical. Submissions will be evaluated in light of their potential to contribute to the Symposium. To encourage dialogue we welcome submissions from various perspectives, from Native presenters as well as those from supportive non-Native presenters. Finished papers must be submitted by May 1, 2010. Papers must adhere to Turabian Sixth Edition; in Times Roman 12 font; have complete footnotes and Works Cited. These may be distributed to selected respondents and will be published in the NAIITS Journal.

Submission of Panels
Submissions of panels (please be sure this is a panel!) are welcome and should include the same materials as those for individual papers (brief bio of the chairperson, abstract and proposal; both of which deal with the focus of the proposed panel). Also included must be a participant list with bios and abstracts for each.

Submission Deadline and Requirements
The deadline for submissions of proposals for papers and panels is March 1, 2010.

Please submit your proposal to:

Anita L. Keith, Administrator
North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies
35-2855 Pembina Highway, Suite 428
Winnipeg MB R3T 2H5 CANADA
Telephone: (204) 261-5676 Fax: (204) 261-9164
Email: naiits8@gmail.com