The Reverend Peter Jones Kahkewaquonaby and the Mississauga Indians: A History of Evangelism and Assimilation

The Reverend Peter Jones Kahkewaquonaby (1802-1856) was a prominent Ojibwe chief and Methodist minister who played a significant role in the history of the Mississauga Indians of Canada. Born in what is now Mississauga, Ontario, Jones was the son of a Mississauga chief and a European woman. He was educated at the Methodist mission school in Credit, Ontario, and was ordained a minister in 1825. Jones spent his life working to convert his people to Christianity and to assimilate them into European-Canadian society.

Jones's work was part of a larger movement of Christian evangelism among Native Americans in the early 19th century. Methodist missionaries, in particular, were active in spreading their faith among the Ojibwe, Cree, and other Algonquian-speaking peoples. Jones was one of the most successful of these missionaries, and he played a key role in the conversion of thousands of Mississauga Indians to Christianity.

Sacred Feathers: The Reverend Peter Jones (Kahkewaquonaby) and the Mississauga Indians, Second Edition

by Donald B. Smith

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3786 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	439 pages

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Jones's work was not without controversy. Some Mississauga Indians resented his efforts to convert them to Christianity and to assimilate them into European-Canadian society. They argued that Jones was betraying his people and their traditions. Others, however, welcomed Jones's work as a way to improve their lives and to gain access to the benefits of European-Canadian society.

Despite the controversy, Jones's work had a profound impact on the Mississauga Indians. He helped to establish Methodist missions and schools throughout their territory, and he played a key role in the development of their written language. He also worked to improve their economic and social conditions, and he helped them to gain recognition from the Canadian government.

Jones's legacy is complex. He was a man of both great faith and ambition. He was a devout Christian who believed that his people could only be saved through conversion to Christianity. He was also a proud Ojibwe who wanted to preserve his people's culture and traditions. Jones's work ultimately helped to assimilate the Mississauga Indians into European-Canadian society, but he also helped to preserve their identity and culture.

Early Life and Education

Peter Jones Kahkewaquonaby was born in 1802 in what is now Mississauga, Ontario. His father was a Mississauga chief, and his mother was a European woman. Jones was raised in the traditional Mississauga way of life, but he also attended the Methodist mission school in Credit, Ontario. He was a bright and eager student, and he quickly learned to read and write in both Ojibwe and English.

In 1825, Jones was ordained a Methodist minister. He was one of the first Native American ministers in Canada, and he quickly became a popular and respected figure among his people. Jones traveled throughout the Mississauga territory, preaching the gospel and establishing Methodist missions and schools.

Missionary Work

Jones's missionary work was highly successful. He baptized thousands of Mississauga Indians and helped to establish a strong Methodist presence throughout their territory. He also worked to translate the Bible into Ojibwe, and he helped to develop a written language for his people.

In addition to his religious work, Jones was also active in the political and social life of the Mississauga Indians. He helped to negotiate treaties with the Canadian government, and he worked to improve the economic and social conditions of his people.

Assimilationist Views

Jones was a strong believer in the assimilation of Native Americans into European-Canadian society. He believed that Christianity and education were the keys to progress for his people. He argued that Native Americans needed to adopt the values and customs of European-Canadians in order to succeed in the modern world.

Jones's assimilationist views were not universally popular among the Mississauga Indians. Some resented his efforts to convert them to Christianity and to assimilate them into European-Canadian society. They argued that Jones was betraying his people and their traditions.

Controversy and Legacy

Despite the controversy, Jones's work had a profound impact on the Mississauga Indians. He helped to establish Methodist missions and schools throughout their territory, and he played a key role in the development of their written language. He also worked to improve their economic and social conditions, and he helped them to gain recognition from the Canadian government.

Jones's legacy is complex. He was a man of both great faith and ambition. He was a devout Christian who believed that his people could only be saved through conversion to Christianity. He was also a proud Ojibwe who wanted to preserve his people's culture and traditions. Jones's work ultimately helped to assimilate the Mississauga Indians into European-Canadian society, but he also helped to preserve their identity and culture.

The Reverend Peter Jones Kahkewaquonaby was a complex and controversial figure. He was a devout Christian who believed that his people could only be saved through conversion to Christianity. He was also a proud Ojibwe who wanted to preserve his people's culture and traditions. Jones's work ultimately helped to assimilate the Mississauga Indians into European-Canadian society, but he also helped to preserve their identity and culture.

Sacred Feathers: The Reverend Peter Jones (Kahkewaquonaby) and the Mississauga Indians, Second Edition

by Donald B. Smith

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3786 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	439 pages

FREE