SECTION NEWS September 2000 Anthropology News

Frances Trix, Wayne State U

mologist (Muhammad Mahyoub) and a histori- an/folklorist (Muhammad Jm) for a 12-day excursion across Yemen. The first part of my web- page provides a nutshell description of what, who, where, why, when and how with a few rel- evant illustrations. ‘fie student is then directed to the actual field report. Eventually I plan to devel- op guidelines and questions for students as they read through and try to understand the nature of a “project report” as opposed to an ethnography or published article. The site is located at http://www.aiys.org/webdate/plant l.htm1. 1 wel- come comments on how to develop the site for teaching.

Apology: In the May colunm I mistakenly iden- tified the author, Dr Trix, as one of three women in the photo. The correct caption for this photo should be: “Bektashi Women of Gjakova, Kosova. Photo by Frances Trix.” I apologize for this care- less error and regret the discomfort caused to the author. Dr. Trix informs me that these three women were killed in a devastating tragedy. I understand how difficult it must have been to see such an error on top of the pain already felt. I would like to solicit ideas for a future column dealing with situations where MES members have experienced similar tragedies in the field or after fieldwork. If anyone would like to con- tribute to this, please let me know. Dan Varisco.

Dun Varisco (socdt?r@kof~tru.edu) and Nujwa Adra (na~a@ptonline.net), Anthropology, 115 Hofstra U, 104 Heger Hall, Hempstead, W 11549; tel516/463- 5590 or 516/676-9157. MES website: www.ameran- thassn.org/mes/mes. html.

National Association for the Practice of Anthropology CARMEN GARCIA Ruiz, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Washington Association of Professional Anthropologists: History, Evolution, and Award

By Willis E Sibley, Past-President (I 999-00) I have been a member of WAPA since 1978, when I worked in Washington for the US Environ- mental Protection Agency as a “sewer anthropoi- ogist” under an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) appointment. Hence, I surely qualify for the status of anthropological geezer, though I caution readers that the views expressed here about WAPA are my own, and there may well be other well-qualified but alternative views about the organization and its history.

Some of WAPA’s founders told me recently that, as members of a group of faculty and stu- dents from Catholic U attending an anthropo- logical meeting on the West Coast, they became aware of a new group in Arizona (the now defunct society of Practicing Anthropologists) that was bringing together anthropologists work- ing outside the academy for mutual support and social benefits. On their return to Washington, WAPA was founded under the initial leadership of the late Conrad Reining, who became WMA’s first President in 1976-77. Reining‘s hope was to create an organization which would join’both academic and non-academic anthropologists in ways which would enhance the education and welfare of both groups.

At the time, anthropologists working outside the academy often felt themselves to be out- castes, marginalized at meetings and considered alien to the central concerns of the discipline. Meanwhile, the rate of growth of academic posi- tions had declined dramatically, and at formal sessions during annual meetings of the AAA, nonacademic practitioners offered encourage- ment to fellow anthropologists to try new occu- pational niches. Not infrequently, they were berated and accused of selling out to government or to private industry. Rut market forces pre- vailed, so that today, a substantial proportion of anthropologists are employed in government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and private industry in an enormous variety of ways. WAPAs current membership of nearly 200 reflects this variety.

Early on, then, considerable WAPA effort was devoted to mutual encouragement among ”out- castes” and to making the case to government and the private sector that anthropologists had much to contribute to the tasks these agencies and organizations were pursuing. I recall speak- ing to a WAPA meeting (in 1978 or early 1979) in which I encouraged anthropologists to seek out not only research positions (then the cynosures for anthropologists) but to undertake planning

and management positions as well. I supposed that an anthropological background might well lead to both creative and humane administration and management, as an alternative to the econo- mists, political scientists and lawyers who occu- pied a high proportion of govemrnent jobs involving social programming. My talk was in response to frequently heard complaints that there were too few “research” jobs in government and in the private sector.

Over time, the acceptability of anthropologists working in non-academic roles has risen, and the early evangelical role for WAPA is less critical, although the achievement of real pluralism and mutual esteem among anthropologists in the acad- emy and outside it s t i l l has some distance to go!

Today, WAPA continues to provide a variety of benefits to its members. There are monthly meet- ings with speakers discussing a wide range of top- ics related to the practice of anthropology in the many realms in which anthropologists find themselves today. Meetings are preceded by an optional supper group and succeeded by drinks and further discussion at a local bar. The group also schedules parties, picnics, and other social events in addition to the more formal monthly meetings. We exchange job leads by networking at and between meetings and through our Web page. A significant factor in the longevity and success of WAPA is the size and variety of its membership; there are many anthropologists in the greater Washington area such that a typical monthly meeting will draw 30 to 50 or more par- ticipants.

In addition to activities noted above, WAPA has a biannual prize called the Praxis Award, which offers a certificate and cash prize for a notable project in which the application of

Willis Sibley presents WAPA’s 1999 Praxis Award to Virginia Nazarea during the AAA meetings last Nov

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Anthropology News September 2000 S E C T I O N N E W S

anthropological theory and practice has played a significant role in the success of the project. ‘I.he competition for this prize is open to all, and the a\varil has ordinarily been presented during the annual meeting of the American Anthropological Associa tion.

The 1999 Praxis Award was presented to Dr. Virginia Nazarea of the University of Georgia. Nazarea‘s Memory Banking Project, initially based in the Philippines, involved documenting the culbral behaviors, beliefs, rituals and agricul- tural practices associated with the plant materials being collected by botanists. These materials were collected and preserved to ensure the continua- tion of genetic diversi+in an agricultural envi- ronment where the seeking of higher outputs often eliminates the continued use of traditional materials. Through her work, Nazarea was able to convince her biological and agricultural col- leagues of the critical importance of preserving the cultural context of plants as well as the plant materials themselves. Her research model is now being replicated in other geographical areas.

An honorable mention was also awarded to Robert Trotter’s international team which sub- stantially reworked the international definitions of disability for the World Health Organization. Shirley Buzzard and Richard Warren also were cited for their applied projects. For more infor- mation, please visit our website ( w . s m c m . e d u / wapal).

I’lcuse send text or ‘graphics for the NAPA coliu?m to: Canizeri Garcia Kuiz, 501 0 Marlborough Drive, Sun Diego, CA 921 16, anttrropoc~~~uol.cotn. I welcome your cornrnents, sugyestioris and pe.~tion.s.

National Association of Student Anthropologists ‘I’IWWF. LV SirtEN, CCw ~ i i w i w , Evrroi? Too much information! So went the 90s cliche. I.‘irst, NASA has sis newly appointcd and two newly elected officers. Below, the appointed offi- cers introduce themselves, and i n the coming months Eric Haanstad (President Elect) and Jason J. Gonzalez (Grad-At-Large), both elected officers, will write their introductions. Also, a “Voluriteer Coordinator” position has been created and filled by Adam Fish. Adam has submitted a wonderful essay, which will appear in the coming months, that describes the role of this new position

The NASA officers have been discussing new directions for NASA, which I believe will drive NASA into its most productive years ever. Many of these ideas will appear on the website and in the section news. We welcome everyone’s ideas and participation in the discussions. One of the new ways in which NASA is trying to better serve its members is by conducting a survey. Ilesiree Martinez (meet her below) has put together a sur- vey for both undergraduate and graduate stu- dents. I t can be found on the NASA website rviuM..aaanet.org/na~a/index.htm. The survey is short and will help NASA better understand its menibers.

iUso, be sure t o look tor the NASA invited ses- sion at this year’s A M meeting. I t is entitled, “Students Awake! Public (Anthropology) or Perish.” Students from numerous institutions and disciplines will discuss a broad range of the- oretical and regional issues. I will chair the ses- sion and Kobert Borofsky and Laura Nader will be the discussants.

One quick reminder: Oct 1 is the deadline for nominations for the spring 01 election. Please check the NASA website for the positions that require a nomination or contact Carla Guerron- Montero, the new nominations chair.

Below, the newly appointed officers introduce themselves. Please feel free to contact them via email if you have any questions or suggestions.

Crrrln Guerron-Montero, Nornirintioiis Chair (vachnc~~io~nai l .corn)

It is a pleasure to act as the newly elected Nominations Chair of NASA. My name is Carla Guerron-Montero. I am Ecuadorian. I received my licenciatura degree in Socio-cultural Anthro- pology at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador (1995) and my MA in Applied Anthro- pology at Oregon State U (1997). Currently, I am a PhD candidate in Cultural Anthropology at the U of Oregon-Eugene. I am conducting disserta- tion research in the Archipelago of Bocas del Toro, Panama. My study entails the analysis of the discursive and material practices Afro- Antilleans employ to adjust and adapt to a new economy that is mainly based o n tourism. I have worked on student issues for anthropology organjzations, particularly for the Society for Applied Anthropology, as Chair of the Student Committee and more recently as Student Representative to the Executive Board. I am eager to contribute to the further expansion and growth of NASA and to develop more links to academic and practicing anthropology organiza- tions. On a more personal note, I am happily married to Nicholas Coronel-Viteri, an Ecuador- ian anthropolobist. I have a beautiful cat named Airelai. Besides being an anthropologist, I have discovered the beauty of diving and hope to com- plete my training as a Divemaster in the near future.

Anne P Irwin, Executive Secretary (apinvin@tcla.edu)

Originally from Syracuse, New York, I have my undergraduate degree in anthropology with a minor in dance from the SUNY College at Geneseo. While at Geneseo, I held various lead- ership positions: vice-president of the Under- graduate Student Association, president of Geneseo’s Lambda Alpha National Anthropology Honor Society chapter, treasurer of the Orchesis Dance Club, and as a resident advisor in the resi- dence halls. Since college, I’ve moved to Los Angeles to pursue my MA degree in cultural dance studies at CJCLA’s Department o f World Arts and Cultures. Currently, my interests focus on the eating (or non-eating) patterns of Western ballet dancers as a cultural phenomenon, identi-

ty signifier, and a mcans toward the ngenq. of selt through body politics. I a l w dabble in dance eth- nology (the survey and analysis of dances trom various cultures around the world) and practice different world dance techniques. I s e n e as a teaching assistant in our department and a m a member of UCWs School of the Arts and Architecture’s Dean’s Student Council. At the time of this writing and for the four previous summers, I’ve worked as the Assistant Director of the New York State Summer School of the Arts dance programs, which recognizes and trains gift- ed adolescents in various artistic disciplines. I look forward to working with NASA as the exec- utive secretary for the next few years and meeting many of our NASA members at the meetings in N ov!

Lori r\ Johtis, I - ’ropi in Editor (Forlorianti@?’aol. corn 1

I t is my pleasure to seme NASA as the new pro- gram editor. I am currently studying anthropolo- bT at the SUNY College at New I’altz. In the fall I will begin my senior year and if all goes well, I will graduate in May of 2001, exactly 20 years after graduating from high school! 1 then hope to go on to graduate school and eventually work in academia. I have worked on my degree in various stages of my life, having to leave my studies tem- porarily for financial reasons, the army, and a baby. Now that my baby is ten years old, I am able to devote myself to full time studies and a lit- tle research. I am especially interested in racism and sexism issues in the US. As a NASA officer, I would like encourage my fellow undergraduate students to participate in the AAA and NASA. Not only will this benefit the organization but the students as well. As someone who has been in the workng world I realize the value of the guidance and fellowship of others who are more experi- enced in the field. This can be very inspiring and provide direction. I look forward to assisting in the facilitation of these goals and my duties as profir.il11 editor.

Dt, .sir i~ Af(trfriicz, GrLd . S t r c l l ~ , r i t - i l t - L r i r S c . (drrnartiri@fus. haniarii. edir)

I am a member of the Gabrielino (longva) tribe from Baldwin Park, California. I earned my UA in anthropology at the U of Pennsylvania and am currently a PhD Candidate at Harvard U. I am actively engaged in dissertation research which will provide suggestions and guidelines to those who work with Native American Communities regarding archaeological resources and tradition- al cultural properties.

Julia L. Offen, Grad A t - L q y ( io f t i . r i~~i~i~ber .ucs~ . Y L ~ ; i-tirck NASA rvehsitr fi ir most riawt email ad~ i rc .~s )

I’m one of the newly appointed Grad-At-large representatives. I just finished mv I’hD at the l J O!

California, San Llicgu, and will head t o Canada in August for a research postdoctoral fellowship. hly field is Social/Cultural Antiir~polc>by, and I did mv dissertation research in thc European travcl-

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