how rapid their advance, and how great their success in every work to which they put their hands; I wondered often in my mind - and my people wondered too - why the Christian religion should have halted so long at Garden River, just at the entrance of the Great lake of the Chippeways [Superior]; and how it was that forty winters had passed away, and yet religion still slept, and the poor Indians of the Great Chippeway Lake pleaded in vain for teachers to be sent to them. I said that we Indians know our Great Mother, the Queen of the English nation, is strong; but my people are weak. Why do you not help us? It is not good. I told the Blackcoats I hoped that before I died I should see a big teaching wigwam built at Garden River, where children from the Great Chippeway Lake would be received and clothed, and fed and taught how to read and how to write; and also how to farm and build houses and make clothing; so that by and bye they might go back and teach their own people."

     Eventually Chief Shingwauk made his way back to Garden River and his crop, to be joined afterwards by an Anglican missionary who established and expanded the Church of England mission there. Wilson inherited a mission consisting of a church, a parsonage, and a small schoolhouse. Soon he and the community decided that the educational effort should be expanded. Chief Buhkwujenene, with Wilson serving as interpreter, raised funds in England in 1872 by means of a speaking tour.