This book consists of 17 essays concerning the history of the Anglican church and its missions in western Canada. Essays examine the social and political role of the Anglican church, its influence among Native and non-Native populations, its effects on educational development, and the status of women in the church. Chapters 6, 8, 9, and 14 are specifically education-related. The introductory essay examines ways in which the mainstream, secular study of Canadian history has touched on church and religious history. Individual essays are as follows: (1) "The Church of England and the Canadian West" (L. G. Thomas); (2) "'Insidious' Sources and the Historic Interpretation of the Pre-1870 West" (Frits Pannekoek); (3) "Anglican Archives in Rupert's Land" (Wilma MacDonald); (4) "The Public Institution as Church Archivist: Anglican and Other Church Records" (Keith Stotyn); (5) "Anglican Missionaries as Agents of Acculturation: The Church Missionary Society at St. Andrew's, Red River, 1830-1870" (Robert Coutts); (6) "Father Cockran and His Children: Poisonous Pedagogy on the Banks of the Red" (George van der Goes Ladd); (7) "John Smithurst and the Ordination Controversy: Reflections on Red River Society in the 1840s" (F. A. Peake); (8) "Robert Machray and the Foundation of the University of Manitoba in 1877" (F. Wilmot); (9) "The Church of England and the Manitoba School Question" (Lawrence Hackett); (10) "THe Anglican Church in Western James Bay: Positive Influence or Destructive Force?" (John S. Long); (11) "Bishop Bompas and the Canadian Church" (Kerry Abel); (12)"Asking for All Sorts of Favours: The Anglican Church, the Federal Government and the Natives of the Yukon Territory, 1891-1909" (Ken Coates); (13) "The Church of England and the Immigrants in the Dioceses of Qu'Appelle" (Trevor Powell); (14) "The Fellowship of the Maple Leaf Teachers" (Marilyn Barber); (15) "Eva Hasell and the Caravan Mission" (Vera K. Fast); and (16) "The Bishop's Messengers: Women in Ministry in Northwestern Manitoba, 1928-1979" (Alyson Barnett-Cowan). Includes information about contributors and an index. (LP)