Trails, Traditions, and New Directions 77th Annual meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology, Santa Fe, New Mexico March 28-April 1, 2017

Trails, Traditions, and New Directions

77^th Annual meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology, 
Santa Fe, New MexicoMarch 28-April 1, 2017

 “Like the roads to Rome, all trails lead to Santa Fe”
(Ruth Laughlin, Caballeros, 1931)

Santa Fe, site of the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology, is a location steeped in centuries of traditions, as is much of New Mexico. Culturally, it is a region where Native histories reach back 10,000 years and follow paths through time and across geographical space.  Ancient roads meet recent trails in Santa Fe.  The city was the terminus of three major routes, bringing ideas, goods, people and both positive and negative change.  In 1880 the railroad bypassed Santa Fe. Forced to explore new directions, the city advertised its climate to attract health seekers and highlighted its native cultures and their past to encourage tourism, promoting itself as the City Different.

The 77th annual SfAA Meeting embraces "Trails, Traditions, and New Directions" and their implications for practice, theory and action.  In New Mexico, from Chaco roads to Canyon Road, old trails and new thoroughfares have profound effects on the communities through which they pass.  Such landscapes and traditions inform the research and practice we embrace worldwide.  Metaphorically, this theme highlights the importance of understanding the history and intended destination of those "theoretical trails" that we follow when engaging our community partners, methodology, and active interpretations. We recognize the traditions and background of those communities with whom we work, whether they be new immigrants or deep- rooted residents. 

Presentations that approach current issues from a historical perspective—including health disparities, energy and climate change, interpreting culture—or any of our broad concerns are encouraged, as is work that critically examines the motivations that have guided social science research and practice in the past. We urge participants to explore new directions and practice in anthropology, archaeology and related disciplines, Especially encouraged are workshops that investigate more effective ways of communicating the results of applied research and action, and include community partners.  Creative, artistic and dynamic involvement is very welcome.

Recognizing the locality in which it occurs, the 2017 meeting also seeks to develop sessions and activities of interest to the residents of the greater Southwest.  Local people will be involved in planning the meetings and encouraged to participate.  The first day of the Meeting will be open to the public free of charge.                                        

We invite your advice, suggestions, and participation.  Please contact:

Nancy Owen Lewis, Program Chair, at School for Advanced Research, PO Box 2188, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504;  lewis@sarsf.org; or 505-954-7212.