"Essays in Northwestern Ontario Working Class History is a peer-reviewed examination of the history of the working class from the late nineteenth century to the firm establishment of unions in Northwestern Ontario, in particular the Thunder Bay region, during the late twentieth century. "The book brings together previously published, and new works from a cross-section of established and young scholars working in the allied fields of history, Finnish studies, sociology, and Canadian studies," explains Dr. Beaulieu. "It explores the substance of working class history in the region, and the degree to which it is linked to broader and comparative developments while, at the same time, being rooted in the area." Many of the essays bring to light issues of working class life in the area that have previously been neglected, or misunderstood. According to one contributor, contrary to the popular belief that Aboriginal cultures did not mesh well with the values espoused by an industrial economy, in fact Aboriginal people participated in a range of practices related to the growth of the industrial capitalist economy, including mining and lumbering."--LU press release.