“Mission on Grape Island” ~ Richard Boehme

A mission was built on Grape Island, just off the coast of Huffs Island, in 1826-1827. Many of the Mississauga were coerced into converting to Christianity and moving to the mission. They were led to believe that by becoming Christians that Canada would treat them fairly, as they did the white men.

Reverend William Case led the mission. A Christian Mississauga man by the name of John Sunday (Shawundais) from the Bay of Quinte became his right-hand man in regards to running it. John was a veteran of the War of 1812, having fought at the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, November 1813, in defense of Upper Canada along with the British and Canadians.

To the east of Grape Island is Sawguin Island which was used for cattle and farming to feed the 20 families of Grape Island. By 1937 Grape Island’s population had grown to the point where they no longer had enough space to produce enough food to sustain their selves and the island was becoming too crowded. John Sunday, with William Case as an advocate, asked the government to allow them to move somewhere else within the Bay of Quinte, where they could have the space they required. The government repeatedly denied this request.

John Sunday travelled to England in 1837 to plead his cause, even meeting with Queen Victoria herself, but by this time the mission on Grape Island had already closed, and its members had relocated. The Mississauga were offered some land south of Rice Lake, over 80 kms away from their home. The land was not ideal for farming or hunting, but having no other options, they accepted. Mr. Case went along with them and remained there the rest of his life. This became known as Alderville First Nation.