This collection of essays investigates how Native American women navigated and influenced the shifting political and social landscapes of North America from the colonial era to the twentieth century. Nancy Shoemaker, a historian specializing in Native American history, compiles research from various scholars to challenge the historical erasure of indigenous women. The book argues that these women were not passive observers but active negotiators who utilized traditional roles and adapted to new circumstances to protect their communities and identities.

Historians and scholars of indigenous studies recognize this work as a significant contribution to the field for its focus on gender-specific agency in colonial history. Readers frequently note the academic rigor of the essays, which provide a nuanced look at the complexities of Native American political life.