Before introducing this panel, i want to take advantage of our collective presence here and invite the immediate past president to open the session with the native lands acknowledgment. A statement that those crucial to who we are as an historical organization. We care deeply about the past and the past of this part of the world. I would like for you to repeat after me. In this language, we say this word. I want to welcome you. Being an american and in scholar, we exhaust we are on the land here. In being here, there is not always in india presence but this establishes the american scence. An indian pre you have to remember American Indians being part of the past, the present and the future. [applause] thank you. Questionesses a simple. Perhaps an odd question for the western History Association to thing about. Does the west even matter anymore . Regionalism matter in American History . At a moment when people are increasingly brought together by transportation, the internet and shared