The Heiltsuk village of Bella Bella converted en masse to Methodism in
1880. It was the beginning of a process of missionization that affect
ed all aspects of Heiltsuk life. Heiltsuk women were the primary objec
ts of missionary efforts to modify behavior. Their responses to the mi
ssionaries included elements of both accommodation and resistance. Wom
en forged a new synthesis of Heiltsuk and Methodist values and practic
es in the face of stressful changes in their world.