Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation

History

Culture

THE MISSISSAUGAS OF THE NEW CREDIT

Ojibway (Anishinabe) Nation, part of the largest Aboriginal Nation in North America
Originated from the north shore of Lake Huron, mouth of the Mississaugi River
There is a word in the Indian language “Missisakis” meaning ‘”many river mouths”.
The Mississaugas believed they had obtained their name from the mouths of Trent, Moira, Shannon, Napanee, Kingston, and Gananoque rivers.
French and others referred to the people as the “Mississauga Indians”

Early 1600s

Early Spring, families would move close to fishing grounds and could expect stability up until late fall. Fruits and vegetables would be preserved for consumption in the winter months.
Late fall, populations began to move inland to prepare for winter

Mid 1600s to Late 1600s

European Contact, allied with French
Iroquois making attempts to overtake hunting areas of the Ojibway
Anishinabe formed an ally of the Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomi, as the Three Fires Confederacy to force the Iroquois back to their original Homeland south of lake Ontario
Mississaugas split into two groups; the first group travelled east, to the Bay of Quinte, the second group travelled south near the Holland and Humber Rivers.
The southern route is know as the Toronto Carrying Place
The southern group further split into two groups; the first group moved towards the Trent River along Lake Ontario, the second group moved west towards Toronto and Lake Erie.
The second group are the direct ancestors of the present Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation
The following is a map showing the movement into Southern Ontario.

1700-1800

The traditional territory of the Mississaugas are located in south-western Ontario between Toronto and Lake Erie
French built fur trade posts, credit was extended to the Mississaugas, as a result the river became know as the Credit River
Europeans identified the Mississaugas as the Mississaugas of the Credit
Euro-Canadian settlement became more intense, causing inland movement of the Mississaugas for harvesting purposes.
Land surrenders to the British Colonial government and the Six Nations

1800-1900

British Government gave exclusive rights to the Mississaugas for fishing and hunting.
Became increasingly difficult for the Mississaugas to survive with Euro-Canadian settlement, causing the Mississaugas to accept an offer from the Six Nations to establish a settlement on the tract of land held by the Six Nations.
The offer accepted possessed many qualities such as location, potential for agriculture and closeness to traditional ties, more than any other offers made to the Mississaugas.
1847-The relocation of the Mississaugas to the new tract of land is the origin for the First Nation being referred to as the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.
Reverend Peter Jones very instrumental in the survival of the Mississaugas

Present

Still located on the tract of land offered and traditional territory of the Mississaugas, South-Western Ontario, one hour from U.S. Border and major Metropolitan areas.
6,000 acres in the townships of Oneida and Tuscarora, just off Highway # 6
Approximately 1788 band members with nearly half of the population living off-reserve due to lack of employment opportunities, inadequate land base, and lack of available housing
Elections system began in 1924, general elections held bi-yearly
Community Development, new facilities; Lloyd S. King Elementary School, Social & Health Services-maamwi-gnawending (Caring Together), Ekwaamjigenang Children’s Centre, New Credit Library, Industrial Building, Industrial Park, Commercial Plaza, New Credit United Church, Administration Office, Recreation Complex