Country Canada Population 655 (2011) | Counties Haldimand, Norfolk Province Ontario | |
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First Nation Mississaugas of the New Credit Website NewCreditFirstNation.com | ||
Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation is a Mississauga Ojibwa First Nation located near Brantford in south-central Ontario, Canada. In May 2008, New Credit had a registered population of 2,330 (as of April 2015) people, of which their on-Reserve population was 850 people.
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Map of New Credit, ON, Canada
Mississaugas of New Credit First Nation reside on the 2,392.6-hectare parcel of New Credit 40A Indian Reserve known as Reserve 40B near Hagersville, Ontario. This Reserve is located near the Six Nations of the Grand River in Brantford.
In the 1800s, the Mississaugas wanted to move from a reserve near present-day Port Credit, Ontario. Unable to make an agreement with the colonial government of the time, the Six Nations Confederacy offered the Mississaugas 4,800 acres (1,900 ha) of land inside their own property as a gift of thanks to the Mississaugas for their authorization for the purchase of the land in 1784 that they currently reside on, the Reservation is territory granted to Six Nations as gratitude for allying with British during the American Revolutionary War by the Haldimand Proclamation. The Six Nations is the only reserve in the Canadian system with a subsection reserve. The Mississaugas eventually purchased the land gifted as well as an additional 1,200 acres (490 ha) for a sum of $10,000.00 on June 15, 1903 for the all time right of undisturbed use and occupancy of the land. The reserve as it stands today consists of lots 1 to 12 in the first and second concessions in the Township of Tuscarora, in the County of Brant and lots 1-12 in the first and second concessions in the Township of Oneida. In 1997, New Credit purchased an additional 59 acres (24 ha) bordering on Highway #6, Hagersville.
The First Nation made claims to land on which Toronto, Ontario sits through the disputed Toronto Purchase of 1787. In 2010, Canada agreed to pay CA$145 million for the lands, based on the ancient value of the land, extrapolated to current dollars. The money was distributed to the band government, with each of the 1,700 present day Mississaugas receiving $20,000, with the rest placed in trust for future generations. The Band put a controversial hold on new band membership during this time, ostensibly to preserve the greatest financial gain possible. The multi-million dollar settlement was only given to previously registered members despite any valid claims to membership.( source: New Credit Band Council meeting minutes,2010-2011).