06/05/2026
"Okanagan Women's Voices: Syilx and Settler Writing and Relations, 1870s–1960s" is a literary anthology that compiles historical narratives, memoirs, letters, poetry, and essays from women who lived in the Okanagan Valley during early settlement periods. The book focuses on the gender-specific experiences and relationships between syilx (Okanagan) women and settler women, largely of European descent, highlighting their interactions in a contact zone shaped by colonialism and patriarchal structures.
Featured Authors
The anthology features the writings of seven women:
Susan Moir Allison (1845–1937)
Josephine Shuttleworth (1866–1950)
Eliza Jane Swalwell (1868–1944)
Marie Houghton Brent (1870–1968)
Hester Emily White (1877–1963)
Mourning Dove (1886–1936)
Isabel Christie MacNaughton (1915–2003)
These women provide perspectives on family, community, and cultural entanglements, often reflecting on the tensions and friendships that arose across racial and social divides
Historical and Cultural Significance:
The anthology illuminates a lesser-known aspect of British Columbia’s history by centering women’s voices, particularly those of syilx women, whose perspectives have historically been underrepresented. It explores how these women navigated colonial pressures, settler racism, and patriarchal norms while maintaining kinship networks and cultural traditions
The writings reveal personal experiences with colonial officials, land disputes, and social changes, offering a nuanced view of Indigenous-settler relations beyond male-dominated historical narratives
Editorial and Scholarly Context
The editors—Dr. Jeannette Armstrong, a syilx scholar and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Okanagan Philosophy, and settler scholars Janet MacArthur and Lally Grauer—provide expert contextualization. They draw on archival research to highlight the intersections of syilx and settler women’s lives, emphasizing the importance of gendered perspectives in understanding historical events. The anthology is considered a valuable resource for students, researchers, and anyone interested in Indigenous literature, women’s history, and the cultural history of the Okanagan Valley
Available for purchase www.theytus.com/Books/O/Okanagan-Women-s-Voices
