The idea for this conference was born some two years ago when, flushed with the success of our first Canadian Studies conference in 2003, "Across Time and Space: Visions of Canada from Abroad" and the publication of the conference proceedings the following year, we decided to try our hand at bringing a second Canadian Studies conference to TRU. We chose to focus on Western Canada - the four western provinces and the northwest territories - more precisely on the multiplicity of identities in the west, how these are linked to the past, inform the present, and shape policies and decisions which in turn will affect the future. Studies of the west are numerous but not often do they combine interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary perspectives as do many of the presentations scheduled this weekend. The concurrent sessions on Mapping Quality of Life and the Culture of Small Cities (CURA), open to all participants, add further to the diversity of themes and approaches.
We are pleased that you have chosen to join us for this conference. We wish you interesting and stimulating sessions as well as comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable stay in Kamloops.
The Conference Organizing Committee: Anne Gagnon, Jim Hoffman, Henry Hubert, Terry Kading, Kelly-Anne Maddox, Brigitta O'Regan and Ginny Ratsoy.
