The name, Mississauga, means "large river mouth" (Steckley. 141) and describes a group of Ojibwa people living at the south of Lake Ontario. Their land was surrendered, piece by piece to the government to make space for white and native loyalists. The Mississauga believed that the treaties included a promise that they would be taught agriculture and given the help they need to adjust to the changing world. However, no help came. A chief was murdered. Alcohol caused havoc.

The Methodists wanted to approach the Mississauga and other Ojibwa but needed help. They found help through Peter Jones (Kahkewaquonaby or Sacred Feathers). Peter Jones' white father had two wives, and lived with his Mohawk wife while Peter Jones lived with his Mississauga mother. When Peter Jones was twelve his father, concerned that his son would have no future among the Mississauga took  his son away to live with him and his Mohawk wife. There Peter Jones learned both English and farming. Baptized as an Anglican by his father's insistence he became a Methodist after a five day Methodist camp. After that he returned to the Mississauga to work as a missionary there, where he was well received.

Peter Jones was the first of a number of Mississauga to become Methodist missionaries, and they took the religion to other Ojibwa people.

The Methodists were successful among the Mississauga for several reasons. The missionaries were very enthusiastic. They offered an education to those who converted, and encouraged people to give up alcohol, which had been causing severe problems. They taught agriculture, and helped create a village on the banks of the Credit River.

However, the enthusiasm ended almost as quickly as it had flourished. In 1829 there was 140 members of the Credit Mission, and by 1834 the numbers had sunk to 78. (Mabindisa 103) Among other things the Ojibwa were confused with the disputes between the British and American Methodists, the Anglicans and the Catholics.

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Sources:

Steckley, John. Beyond their Years: Five Native Women's Stories Toronto: Canadian Scholars' Press Inc. 1999

Mabindisa, I.K. The Praying Man: The Life and Times of Henry Bird Steinhauer. University of Alberta. 1984.