Promoting ethical and sound research
on issues related to lowland South America,
its peoples, and its environments.
Statement Regarding the Recent Coverage of Amazonian Anthropology.
The board of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America (SALSA) wishes to respond to the recent revival of debates concerning Napoleon Chagnon’s work by reaffirming this core ethical principle: that the well-being of Amazonia’s vulnerable peoples must be of central concern. As anthropologists and Amazonian specialists, we insist on accuracy in scientific research, integrity in interpretation, and defense against misuse of academic writings. We support the efforts of indigenous leaders, organizations, and fellow scholars who focus the spotlight of public attention on the realities of life for Yanomami and the world’s other native people struggling to secure the rights and resources they need to survive and thrive as indigenous citizens of the 21st century.
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New Editors for Tipití: The Journal of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America.
We announce the appointment of Michael J. Heckenberger (University of Florida) and Simone Ferreira de Athayde (University of Florida and Instituto Socioambiental) as Editors of Tipití. Their initial four-year term will last from 2013 to 2016. We wish to congratulate and thank Laura Rival (Oxford Univeristy), outgoing editor of the journal, for her wonderful work with Tipití and service to SALSA over the past several years.
Registration OPEN for SALSA 2013 Sesquiannual Conference in Nashville, TN.
Join us at Vanderbilt University from March 7 through March 10 of 2013 for SALSA's VIII Sesquiannual Conference. Proposals for papers, panels, and workshops are due by November 15 to the academci program chair, Carlos Lodoño-Sulkin (University of Regina). Information about registering and conference proposals can be found at the link below:
SALSA 2013 Proposals and Registration
Current members of SALSA are encouraged to submit proposals. You can renew or begin your SALSA membership at the site above, or by clicking here (note: this link is for membership only; you need to register for the conference via the Conference website).
SALSA welcomes a new Secretary-Treasurer.
Jeremy M. Campbell (Roger Williams University) will be taking over as SALSA's Secretary-Treasurer. Any questions related to membership dues and benefits can be directed to him at salsa.sectreas@gmail.com
NEIL WHITEHEAD 1956-2012
Our hearts are heavy with the news of the passing of Neil Whitehead, Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an inspiring colleague, mentor, and friend. Neil passed away in Madison after a bout with illness. He was well-known for his insightful approach to the ethnography of violence, shamanism, and death in the Guyanas, but Neil's work also ranged widely and masterfully through ethnohistorical, archaeological, and philosophical pursuits. A graduate of Oxford University (PhD., 1984), Neil had been at Madison since 1993, where he had also served as department chair. His passion and his geneoristy will be sorely missed.
A memorial service open to all will be held lakeside at Governor Nelson State Park (N. Shore of Lake Mendota, Wisconsin) on Wed., March 28th at 3:00 pm.
STEVEN (STEVE) RUBENSTEIN 1962-2012
It is with great sadness that we report the death of our dear colleague, Steve Rubenstein. Steve died in his home in Liverpool, where he had been living since 2006. Steve was a Reader in Latin American Anthropology in the School of Cultures, Languages, and Area Studies at the University of Liverpool, UK.
After earning two BAs, one in Anthropology from Columbia University, where he was one of the last students of Robert F. Murphy, and another in Philosophy from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, in 1984, Steve went on to receive a PhD from Columbia in 1995. He held teaching positions at Georgetown University, Ohio University and the University of Liverpool. Steve was also active in the affairs of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America (SALSA), serving on its executive board, as the book editor of its journal, Tipiti, and as co-host and Program Organizer of its 2010 meetings inSan Antonio, Texas. He was noted for his active research program in the Ecuadorian state, the Shuar Federation, and shamanism. In addition, he made important contributions to women's studies (Signs, 2004); circulation and power (Cultural Anthropology 2007); and political ecology (Tipiti 2004). Among his noted works are also two books, the 2009 edited volume Border Crossings: Transnational American Anthropology (co-edited with Kathleen Fine-Dare) and the 2002 Alejandro Tsakimp' : A Shuar Healer in the Margins of History. At the time of his death, Steve was engaged in several new and ongoing projects. His article, "On the Importance of Visions among the Amazonian Shuar" had just been published (Current Anthropology 53(1)39-79) in February and was generating discussion among fellow scholars. Memorials are planned for this summer's ICA meetings in Vienna and the November AAA meetings in San Francisco.
Steve was an inspiring colleague, warm and generous friend, and caring mentor. His absence will be felt by many.
Friends and colleagues who would like to remember Steve are invited to post comments on his facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/slrubenstein.
TIPITI ONLINE: We are pleased to announce that Tipití: The Journal of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America, is online and available exclusively to SALSA members. New issues are embargoed to members only for the first 18 months after publication, and thereafter become publically available. Tipití is hosted by the Digital Commons at Trinity University: http://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/tipiti/
TIPITI Editorial Board: Laura Rival (University of Oxford) has overseen Tipití's transition to being a web-based publication, and graciously continues as Editor. Louis C. Forline (University of Nevada, Reno) serves as both the Book Review and Film Review Editor, and Theresa Miller (University of Oxford) is the Assistant Editor. Tipití is overseen by an Editorial Baord that includes: Jean-Pierre Chaumeil (EREA, CNRS, France), Jeffrey Ehrenreich (University of New Orleans), Philippe Erikson, (Université de Paris X, Nanterre), Carlos Fausto (Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro), Louis C. Forline (University of Nevada, Reno) Michael Heckenberger (University of Florida), Suzanne Oakdale (University of New Mexico), Laura Rival (University of Oxford), Steven Rubenstein (University of Liverpool), Fernando Santos Granero (Smithsonian Tropical Institute), Alexandre Surrallès (EHESS and LAS, France), Aparecida Vilaça (Museu Nacional, Rio de Janeiro), and Robin Wright (University of Florida).
NEW SECRETARY-TREASURER: We are pleased to announce that Laura Bathurst (University of the Pacific) will be taking over as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Association. Laura takes over from Mike Cepek (University of Texas, San Antonio), who has done a fantastic job over the years for SALSA.
NEW WEBMASTER: We are pleased to announce that Jeremy Campbell of Roger Williams University will become the new webmaster for SALSA, beginning July 21st. Many thanks to Javier Ruedas for designing and maintaining a website that is not only extremely easy to use, but one that is admirably well constructed.
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING SALSA - 2013?: We are already beginning to think about our next meetings, to be held in the spring of 2013. We are soliciting ideas and proposal from around the globe. Failing another proposal taking form, Beth Conklin offers that she might invite us to join her at Vanderbilt to the hear the best of the US alternative music scene in Nashville!
June 2011
SALSA - 2011: Our sesquiannnual meeting went off with great success in Belém do Pará, Brazil, on June 22–26. Many thanks to the conferences organizers Glenn Shepard and Marcela Coelha de Souza, and the good work of Janet Chernela. The conference is a major step forward for SALSA, not only being held in Belem, but with participants from throughout the Americas and Europe and a keynote address by Davi Kopenawa Yanomami. Support by the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi and financing from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) raised this meeting to a new level of professionalism.
ELECTIONS - The elections of three new SALSA Board members are now complete. We are pleased to announce that Laura Bathurst will be the next Secretary-Treasurer; Philippe Erikson and Dan Rosengren will become the new at-large members of the Board. With a great deal of appreciation we bring these new members onto the Board, and recognize all those willing to allow us to put their name forward as nominees.
May 2011
Voting for three new SALSA Board Members is underway, balloting taking place from June 14th through the June 21st. The membership will be electing one new Secretary/Treasurer and two new At-Large Members for 2011-2014 terms. Ballots are being e-mailed to all members.
Please note that our online registration system works with Paypal. If you do not already have a Paypal account, we recommend you sign up before registering for SALSA 2011.
TRAVEL VISA REMINDER. Travelers to SALSA's 2011 conference from North America, Europe, and other regions will likely need to apply for visas beforehand. Please consult the nearest Brazilian consulate for further information.
Please see our SALSA 2011 Conference Registration and Information Page for news and information about the forthcoming SALSA conference to be held in Belém, Pará, June 22 to June 26, 2011.
On-line registration for SALSA’s 2011 meetings in Belém is now open. Submissions are now closed. Turnout has been tremendous, with over 100 paper submissions and about 50 student posters. The large turnout will require us to divide the meetings in parallel sessions for one day (Friday 24 June), with the remainder of the meetings taking place in single, plenary sessions.
The University of Maryland, Universidade de Brasília, and the Kayapo of Aukre Village announce a summer field experience for undergraduate and graduate students. The deadline for registration is April 1 2011. Please see the field school's website for further information. You may also view the brochure, poster, and course description.
SALSA member Robin Wright announces the 2011 Andes-Amazon Field School in Ecuador. See the brochure for more information on this year's program. See the field school's web site for more details.
The posters for SALSA 2011 may now be downloaded and viewed.
A chamada para submissões para a VII conferência de SALSA está disponível em Português.
Our revised call for papers for SALSA 2011 now includes information on panel organizers.
TRAVEL VISA REMINDER. Travelers to SALSA's 2011 conference from North America, Europe, and other regions will likely need to apply for visas beforehand. Please consult the nearest Brazilian consulate for further information.
SALSA's 2011 Conference will take place in Belém do Pará, Brazil, on June 22–26, 2011. Please see our Conferences page for more information, including our Call for Papers.
Pat Lyon, Beth Conklin, and Jeffrey Ehrenreich are planning a follow-up to the edited volume Native South Americans: Ethnology of the Least Known Continent. If you are interested in contributing, please see the volume invitation.
The Ken Kensinger Memorial Web Page may now be viewed on our website.
The Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America mourns the passing of Kenneth M. Kensinger. Author of How Real People Ought to Live and editor of Marriage Practices in Lowland South America, Ken was an inspiration to many of us. He will be greatly missed.
We are pleased to announce the election of SALSA's newest board members. Carlos D. Londoño Sulkin (University of Regina) and Marcela Coelho de Souza (Universidade de Brasília) will be joining SALSA's board of directors. Many thanks to our outgoing board members, William Fisher and Suzanne Oakdale, for their volunteer work in SALSA.
We also announce the election of Jonathan D. Hill (Southern Illinois University - Carbondale) as president-elect. Dr. Hill's term as president-elect will last from 2011 to 2014 and he will be president from 2014 to 2017.