Acknowledgements

I owe my thanks to a broad community who, in a variety of ways, are responsible for the existence of this book. Trent University and the Frost Centre for Canadian and Indigenous Studies offered ongoing financial and intellectual support. I am grateful as well to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada for additional research funding. Many friends and colleagues were invaluable sources of encouragement along the way. These include Kevin Plummer, Gillian Balfour, Julia Harrison, Winnie Janzen, Cam Hayden, Cristine Bye, Fiona Coll, Michel Hogue, Betsy Jameson, Sarah Carter, Adrian Smith, Melissa White, Sherry Hergott, and Shayne Arnold. I owe a special debt of thanks to Meaghan Beaton for her camaraderie. The enthusiastic staff at Athabasca University Press made the final steps possible, particularly Pamela Holway, who was a generous and supportive editor. Copy editor Joyce Hildebrand made numerous thoughtful suggestions that improved the final text.

Joan Sangster encouraged my first efforts to think about legal and social history and has been a trusted mentor and friend. Bryan Palmer supervised the original dissertation and was unfailing in his support, good humour, and patience. I owe a tremendous debt to my parents for their boundless emotional and financial support. Finally, this book is dedicated with love to Marika Strobl.