In River Road Friesen tells some of the "local stories" that make up the history of the Canadian prairies. From Louis Riel to the collapse of the Meech Lake Accord, the prairies have often been a place where conflicting visions of Canada have clashed. Friesen portrays some of the different sides and personalities of this history, such as Bob Russell, leader of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, and J.H. Riddell, principal of Wesley College. He also explores the changing relationship between Aboriginal peoples and the "dominant" society, from the prosperous Metis community that flourished along the Red River in the nineteenth century to the history of Aboriginal relations with the justice system. As well, he looks at the culture of the prairies, from the role of local historical societies to the place of hockey in prairie life.