Swift River shares stories, both tragic and inspiring, of fur traders, settlers, and Sinixt people. At the heart of the book, it follows Sinixt men and women as they fought to have their rights to their ancient lands recognized by colonial administrations that favoured settlers. That fight might have ended in 1956 when the Canadian government declared the Sinixt to be 'extinct' in Canada after they were pushed south of the border, but the Sinixt pushed back. Contributing Sinixt authors Shelly Boyd and Patti Bailey write about their nation's diplomatic efforts up the Columbia Valley and their fight for justice and recognition in the courts, a struggle that continues to this day.