Annual Conference

In 2025, Toph Marshall (UBC) revived the CACW with a meeting at UBC (March 7-8). He also compiled this brief history of the CACW.

The Classical Association of the Canadian West is an autochthonous organization, emerging spontaneously from the soil of the Rocky Mountains. Beginning in the late 1970s, regular meetings allowed scholars in Western Canada to meet, share ideas, and develop connections. A bare-bones constitution for the organization was established in 1993, and this included one representative serving on the Council of the Classical Association of Canada. It is not clear when this was discontinued. Subsequently CACW (pronounced “kack-wuh”, “kack-double-you” or just spelled out — “the C.A.C.W.”) held annual spring meetings beginning 1994.

The Classical Association of the Canadian West was established to promote the study and welfare of Classics in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, and to encourage scholarly exchange and the discussion of innovations in teaching and curriculum in Classics. Annual dues went largely for paying postage; when the use of email became widespread, postage was no longer necessary, and the meetings were coordinated much less formally.  An email mailing list was kept at SFU (not assiduously), with coordination amounting to recruiting the next meeting’s host.  Occasional joint meetings with CAPN took place. In 2015 a decision was taken to become a biennial event, which would allow participants to alternate between the CACW and CAPN, but this appears to have cut any momentum the organization had. No CACW meetings were held between 2018 and 2024.

CACW/CAPN 2025 is the twenty-fourth meeting of CACW since it was formally established in 1993, and at least its thirty-fourth meeting overall. This is the sixth joint meeting with CAPN.

CACW/CAPN 2025 (March 7-8), University of British Columbia

no meetings in 2018-2024

CACW 2017 (March 17-18), University of Calgary

no meeting in 2016

CACW 2015 (March 6-7), University of Winnipeg
The Ancient Community

CACW/CAPN 2014 (March 14-15), Simon Fraser University
Decision

CACW 2013 (March 22-24), University of Alberta
On the Margins of Antiquity

CACW 2012 (March 16-18), University of Victoria
Visualizing Antiquity

CACW 2011 (March 11-12), University of Calgary
Peasants, Potters and Prostitutes

CACW/CAPN 2010 (March 12-13), University of Washington

CACW 2009 (March 6-7), University of Manitoba
Violence in Greek and Roman Antiquity

CACW 2008 (March 14-15), University of Alberta
Commemoration in Antiquity

CACW/CAPN 2007 (March 16-17), University of British Columbia
Regionalism and Globalism in Antiquity

CACW 2006 (Feb 10-11), University of Saskatchewan
Household and Society in the Ancient World

CACW/CAPN 2005 (Feb 18-19), University of Victoria
(Ir)rationality in Antiquity

CACW 2004 (March 19-20), University of Manitoba
Competition in the Ancient World: Contesting, Controlling, Subverting

CACW 2003 (March 21-22), University of Calgary
Texts and Material Culture: Possibilities and Problems

CACW 2002 (March 22-23), Simon Fraser University
Classical Leanings: An Interdisciplinary Conference on Classics and the Humanities

CACW 2001 (March 2-3), University of Alberta
The Seasons: Greek and Roman Perspectives

CACW 2000 (March 10-11), University of Victoria
Cultural Diversity in the Ancient World

CACW 1999 (Feb 19-20), University of Calgary
Western Canada and the Classical World: Research, Fieldwork, Technologies

CACW 1998 (March 9-10), University of British Columbia

CACW 1997 (March), University of Alberta
Education and Recreation in the Ancient World

CACW 1996 (March), University of Winnipeg

CACW/CAPN 1995 (March 10-11), University of Calgary (held in Banff)

CACW 1994 (Feb 13-14), University of British Columbia

constitution established in 1993

CACW 1992 (Feb 14-15), Winnipeg [U. Winnipeg or Manitoba?)]

CACW 1989 (Feb 17-18), University of British Columbia

CACW 1988 (Feb 2 [?]), University of Alberta

CACW 1987 (Feb 2 [?]), University of Victoria

CACW 1986 (Feb 21-22), University of Calgary; held at the Rimrock Inn, Banff

CACW 1985 (Feb 22-23), University of Saskatchewan

CACW 1983 (Feb 18-19), University of British Columbia

1982 no CACW meeting, but CAPN met at the University of Calgary (April 2-3) (president John Yardley)*

CACW 1981 (Feb 18 [?]), University of British Columbia

CACW 1979 (March 9-10), University of Alberta

The mists of time. 

* Canadian involvement in CAPN dates back to O. J. Todd’s presidency in 1940-41, and the first Canadian meeting of CAPN in Vancouver at UBC in 1940. (source).

With thanks to Rory Egan, David Mirhady, Frances Pownall, and Martin Cropp. 

Corrections and supplements gratefully received.                                     CWM 2024