As they traveled, they eventually came to a river, and followed it's course to Lake Ontario. Their favorite camping grounds were at the mouth of the river, which became known as the "Indian Village".
They sometimes dressed in traditonal clothing; long dresses with removable sleeves; but also wore western attire acquired in trade, and silver jewelry. Their hair was braided and make-up was used for a variety of ceremonies. In 1792, Mrs. Simcoe mentions the Mississagas that she met in Kingston, Ontario: "There are Mississauga Indians here. They are an unwarlike, idle, drunken, dirty tribe. I observe how extremes meet. These uncivilized people saunter up and down the town all day with the apparent nonchalance, want of occupation and indifference that seems to possess the London beaux in Bond Street."
What happened to make her feel this way, is unclear, but most accounts of the people were favourable. Those who had settled in "Indian Village", now Mississauga, Ontario; were an honourable people. Though many who traded with the French there, did not always have anything to barter, they were trusted enough to be granted credit and later the trading post became known as Credit River and it's inhabitants the "Mississagas of the River Credit Indians."
Another English woman, who had traveled with her husband to the Credit Trading Post, published a book in which she says of the Mississauga Indians: "This might seem a hazardous arrangement, yet I have been assured by those men long engaged in the trade that for an Indian to break his debt is a thing unheard of. If, by any personal accident he should be prevented from bringing the stipulated number of beaver skins, his relatives and close friends consider their honor implicated and make up he quantity for him." That certainly contradicts Mrs. Simcoe's opinion.
The following summer a surveyor found discrepancies in the survey tract and the Mississauga Chiefs' understanding of the tract, which led to a 1792 investigation by Lieutenant Governor Simcoe who discovered a blank deed had been misrepresented as being the "Toronto Purchase"; and the totems of the three Mississaga Chiefs, were affixed to the blank document with wax seals. An obvious forgery.
However, nothing was done about the situation until 1798; when Peter Russell, head of the Indian Department of Upper Canada wrote to then Acting Governor, Robert Prescott; asking if the Indians should be told of the situation regarding the "Toronto Purchase". Eventually, they decided that not telling the Indians could result in dangerous consequences, so instead decided to simply renew the purchase. A new deed which confirmed the 1787 "Toronto Purchase" was executed on August 1, 1805. Tracks covered, at least for now.
The Toronto Islands were not included in either treaties, and according to Mrs. Simcoe, these islands were sacred to the Mississauga Nation since they were used for healing and other religious ceremonies.
We might shiver with digust when we hear of the American's 'purchase' of Manhatten, an obvious scam; but we cannot look our noses down at them, since we purchased the entire present-day Mississauga area for a mere ten shillings; though it may have cost us a piece of our soul. Understandably the Mississaga Nation is now seeking retribution.
"Indian Remains -- during the progress of some excavation making by the Marine Railway Company, on Mississauga Point, the remains of from 15 to 20 Indians with beads, knives, etc., have been found, embedded about 10 inches below the original surface of the site of the battery. The bodies appear to have been severally wrapt in bark, the remains of which were found in close proximity to the undecayed portions of each skeleton."
The rampant alcoholism that became the trademark of the early settlers, also reached the Natives, and the women often had to hide knives and hatchets when the men were drinking, and only return them after they sobered up; to prevent a bloodbath.
The Mississaga later embraced the Iroquois, their former enemies as they would brothers; since it was now necessary to present a united front. Joseph Brant was elected as their Chief, and represented their interests as members of the Six Nations.
The Thousands of American immigrants who followed in the next two decades, continually negotiated lopsided treaties, and many of the Mississagas were forced further north in search of new hunting grounds. Aside from the confiscation of their lands, the new settlers cut the forests, reducing wild and game and by 1812, immigrant farms covered the area that was once their home.
Though many of the Mississaga began to embrace western culture, sharing in religious practices, occupations, and dress; they still retained their heritage and wanted to be respected as such.
Of the 266 members of the Mississagas of the Credit Indians who moved from the Indian Village in May of 1874; their names included: Sawyer, Halfday, Finger, Herkimer, King, Chechock, Sault, Laforme, and Johns. The Mississaga have remained a continuous political unit since the sale of Toronto 200 years ago; and the Mississaga women have left their mark as healers, teachers, wives, mothers and homemakers; to many Ontario communities.
