Anthology of 12 essays by women scholars about First Nations and Non-Native women during the 19th and 20th centuries in Canada. The writers explore the way Canadian history relates to the portrayal and discussion of women's roles as they are located within colonial and imperial systems. The essays describe the way First Nations and Metis women interacted with the newcomers. This interaction has been described as the contact zone where the colonized and the colonizer met. The way Metis and First Nations women made their way into Canadian society are explored in the essays about Metis clothing makers, and the performances presented by Pauline Johnson, Bernice Loft, and Ethel Brant Monture. Other essays explore the role of the Indian Agents and missionaries played in regulating the moral, sexual and martial rules for First Nations women. The authors include Katie Pickles, Myra Rutherdale, Sherry Farrell Racette, Dianne Newell, Jean Barman, Joan Sangster, Robin Jarvis Brownlie, Sarah A. Carter, Adele Perry, Jo-Anne Fiske, Cecilia Morgan, Carole Gerson, and Veronica Strong-Boag.