Early voices: portraits of Canada by women writers, 1639-1914. (Pioneer girl)

This selection of writings by twenty-nine women, known and unknown, professional and amateur, presents a unique portrait of Canada through time and space, from the seventeenth to the early twentieth centuries, from the Maritimes to British Columbia and the Far North.

There is a range of voices from high-born wives of governors general, to an Icelandic immigrant and a fisherman x2019;s wife in Labrador.

A Loyalist wife and mother describes the first hard weather in New Brunswick, a seasick nun tells of a dangerous voyage out from France, a famous children x2019;s writer writes home about the fun of canoeing, and a German general x2019;s wife describes habitant customs.

All demonstrate how women’s experiences not only shared, but helped shape this new country.