"Between 1873 and 1932,with the exception of one decade, the formulation and implementation of Indian policy on the Canadian prairies lay in the hands of a government appointee known as the Indian commissioner. The commissioner was a senior official in the federal Indian Department and, while he received instructions from Ottawa, had considerable authority within his domain in directing policy. The extent of his influence was determined in large measure by his political connections, the force of his personality, and his ability to articulate positions and concerns that resonated with the temper of the times, Titley's sketches of the lives and careers of these individuals offer unique insight into an important, yet little explored, aspect of Canadian prairie history."--Jacket.