H-NILAS is a moderated internet discussion list sponsored by the Nature in
 Legend and Story (NILAS).  NILAS is a group of people dedicated to
 understanding relationships between human beings and the natural world,
 through the mediation of stories, poems, legends, pictures, and other
 cultural products.  We regard interactions of people with fauna and flora
 as a subject that is sufficiently significant, complex and interesting to
 merit the most serious attention of both poets and scholars.  We view
 literature and the arts as inheritors of the tradition of old mythologies,
 which were less concerned with interpersonal relationships than with the
 orientation of the human race with respect to other beings.  The writing
 that focuses on specific animals and plants, together with their
 relationship to human beings, we are calling "totemic literature."
 
 NILAS is organizing itself around what we're calling "totem groups,"
 groups of people interested in particular flora or fauna.  These groups
 exchange information and set up activities around their specific areas of
 interest.  NILAS also sponsors a yearly conference (traditionally in New
 York state) as well as storytelling events.  Last year, we began
 publication of a newsletter, containing organization news as well as
 articles and creative work.  In 1995, NILAS received non-profit status.
 
 H-NILAS intends to foster productive exchange of ideas and materials among
 scholars and other interested parties of a humanistic or social scientific
 perspective -- the list is not limited to professional, academic
 historians.  Storytellers, artists, archivists, librarians, public
 historians, and students at any level with a mature interest in the
 subject are also welcome.  Through this list, subscribers and moderators
 will communicate current research and research interests; discuss new
 articles, books, papers, approaches, methods and tools of analysis; test
 new ideas and share comments and tips on teaching.  H-NILAS subscribers
 need not be members of NILAS, though new members are always welcome.
 
 H-NILAS invites subscribers to submit syllabi, outlines, handouts,
 bibliographies, guides to term papers, listings of new sources and
 archives, and reports on new software, datasets and cd-roms.  As a member
 of H-Net, H-NILAS will post announcements about conferences, fellowships
 and grants, research and publication opportunities, and jobs. We are
 especially interested in reaching college faculty who already have, or
 plan to teach courses on this area.
 
 When you have completed this questionnaire, please return it to:
 
 Boria Sax <VogelGreif@aol.com>
 
 Thank you!
 
 *****************************
 
 YOUR NAME:
 
 E-MAIL ADDRESS (where you wish H-NILAS postings to be sent):
 
 WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION?  ARE YOU A STORYTELLER OR SCHOLAR?
 
 IF YOU ARE AN ACADEMIC, WHAT IS YOUR INSTITUTIONAL AFFILIATION, WHAT
 COURSES DO
 YOU TEACH, AND WHAT ARE YOUR MAJOR PUBLICATIONS, IF ANY?
 
 WHAT ANIMALS OR PLANTS, IF ANY, INTEREST YOU ESPECIALLY?
 
 WHAT TOPICS RELATING TO THE PURPOSE OF NILAS WOULD YOU ESPECIALLY LIKE TO
SEE
 DISCUSSED ON THE H-NILAS LIST?
 
 WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN REVIEWING BOOKS FOR THE H-NILAS LIST?  IF SO,
 PLEASE
 STATE YOUR SPECIALTIES AND INTERESTS.
 
 WRITE A BRIEF PARAGRAPH WE CAN USE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO THE
 LIST (You might wish to mention why you are subscribing, the
 kinds of information and services you expect from the list
 and can offer to the membership, your professional, research and teaching
 interests, etc.):
 
 ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR THE EDITORS:
 
 
 Thomas Dean (deanth@pilot.msu.edu)
 Boria Sax (VogelGreif@aol.com)
 H-NILAS Editors