Keynote speakers include NB Chief economist, David Campbell, historian Suzanne Morton, and Mi’kmaq activist, comedian and educator Candy Palmater

SACKVILLE, NB — From May 5-7,2016, Mount Allison University will host the 21st Atlantic Canada Studies Conference on campus entitled Dimensions of Difference: Patterns and Politics.

Sponsored by the University’s Centre for Canadian Studies, the Ron Joyce Centre for Business Studies, and the Royal Society of Canada, Atlantic Chapter, the conference will welcome scholars from across the country including the three keynote speakers: David Campbell, chief economist, Province of New Brunswick; Suzanne Morton, professor of history, McGill University; and Candy Palmater, Mi’kmaq activist, educator and comedian.

“The Centre for Canadian Studies and the Ron Joyce Centre for Business Studies are delighted to host this important conference at Mount Allison. With the number and variety of presentations and topics, this has truly grown into a cross-disciplinary conference,” says Dr. Christl Verduyn, director of Mount Allison’s Centre for Canadian Studies and English professor. “Mount Allison will celebrate the Year of Indigenous Knowledge on campus in 2016-17 and this conference includes many discussions and presentations around these issues relating to our regional history, culture, and society.”

Along with the organizing committee, made up of Mount Allison faculty and staff in Canadian Studies and Commerce, students will be working and speaking at the conference, providing exceptional learning opportunities and experiences as part of their undergraduate education.

Keynote addresses are open to the public and include:

David Campbell - The path back to economic growth in New Brunswick. It won’t be easy. Universities must play an important role (7 p.m., Thursday, May 5, Crabtree Auditorium).

Candy Palmater will deliver the cultural keynote address on Friday, May 6 at 8 p.m. in Crabtree Auditorium.

Suzanne Morton - The Many Maritimes of Jane B. Wisdom on Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m. in Avard-Dixon Building, room 118.

Among topics to be discussed in the conference sessions, for which registration is required, include: Indigenous Education beyond the classroom; perspectives on Maritime culture and history; politics of culture in Newfoundland; and a literary discussion around Sweetland by Commonwealth prize-winning author Michael Crummey.

Visitors to campus will also have the opportunity to view the Mary Pratt: This Little Painting exhibition at the Owens Art Gallery. The exhibition features many iconic works, including Pratt’s Fish Head in Steel Sink (1983), which is featured on the conference’s poster with permission of the artist.

A full schedule of events and registration information is available at: https://www.mta.ca/Community/Academics/Faculty_of_Arts/Canadian_Studies/Centre_for_Canadian_Studies/ACS_2016/ACS_2016/ Registration will be open onsite until Friday, May 6 for interested participants.

Photo captions: Keynote speakers of the 2016 Atlantic Canadian Studies conference: David Campbell, Candy Palmater, and Suzanne Morton