Who Are the Mississauga?
The Mississauga are an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) people who migrated to southern Ontario in the late 17th century, occupying territory previously held by Haudenosaunee-allied nations. Today they comprise several First Nations with combined membership of approximately 10,000-15,000. The name "Mississauga" derives from Misi-zaagiing, meaning "river of many outlets" (referring to the Credit River). The major city of Mississauga, Ontario—Canada's sixth largest—is named after them. Despite occupying some of the most valuable real estate in Canada (the Toronto area), the Mississauga were dispossessed through a series of land surrenders between 1781 and 1820, receiving minimal compensation for land now worth billions.
Migration and Settlement
The Mississauga migrated from the northern shores of Lake Huron to southern Ontario during the late 1600s and early 1700s. The Beaver Wars (conflicts among Indigenous nations over fur trade access) had depopulated much of southern Ontario; Haudenosaunee-allied nations withdrew, and Ojibwe peoples moved in. By the mid-18th century, Mississauga bands controlled territory from Toronto to Hamilton along Lake Ontario, around Georgian Bay, and through central Ontario. This territory was rich: Great Lakes fisheries, deer and other game, and forests provided abundant resources. The Mississauga traded extensively with the British, becoming key allies during conflicts with France and later the United States.
Land Surrenders
After the American Revolution, British authorities sought land for Loyalist refugees and later settlers. Between 1781 and 1820, the Mississauga surrendered virtually all their territory through a series of treaties. The Toronto Purchase (1787) acquired present-day Toronto for trade goods worth perhaps £1,700. Subsequent surrenders alienated millions of acres. These treaties were later shown to be fraudulent, coerced, or misrepresented. The 2010 Toronto Purchase specific claim settlement awarded $145 million to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation—a fraction of current land value but acknowledgment of the original fraud. Similar claims address other surrenders. The Mississauga retain only small reserves despite having sold what became Canada's most valuable urban region.
Contemporary Mississauga
Modern Mississauga First Nations include Mississaugas of the Credit, Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Mississauga of New Credit (relocated from Credit River to Six Nations territory), Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, and Alderville First Nation. These communities pursue land claims, economic development, and cultural preservation. The Mississaugas of the Credit have been particularly active in asserting rights within the Toronto area, including participating in land acknowledgments now common at public events. The Mississauga language is endangered; most speakers are elderly. Cultural revitalization includes language programs, traditional teachings, and reconnection to territories now urbanized. The Mississauga demonstrate how Indigenous nations can survive and advocate for justice even after losing virtually all their land base to one of North America's largest metropolitan areas.
References
- Smith, D. B. (1987). Sacred Feathers: The Reverend Peter Jones (Kahkewaquonaby) and the Mississauga Indians
- Schmalz, P. S. (1991). The Ojibwa of Southern Ontario
- Surtees, R. J. (1994). Land Cessions, 1763-1830