The Mississaugas of the New Credit are using compensation for an injustice suffered in the past to position themselves for a future prosperous community.
That is the principle behind a formula for the $145-million land claim settlement for the loss of a 100,000-hectare territory in the Greater Toronto Area two centuries ago, which has been overwhelmingly approved by the bands 1,700 members in a landmark vote.
The federal government's offer, made last year, was the subject of several community meetings and band council discussions. In a band referendum, it received 856 votes in favour, 41 against and seven spoiled ballots.
"We were successful in getting the information out to the membership and they were in wide agreement with the settlement," a buoyant Chief Coun. Bryan LaForme said Wednesday.
"We answered all their questions and concerns to the best of our ability, and I think that on the whole they were satisfied."
The settlement calls for $34 million to be distributed this year directly to every band member at the rate of $20,000 per individual. Those under age would have their shares held in trust until adulthood.
Starting next year, every member will get $1,500 from a wellness fund.
A further $11 million to $12 million will be earmarked for economic development, education and emergency matters.
The remainder --between $99 million and $100 million -will be put in an interest bearing trust with the money to go toward wellness and insurance.
"This was a watershed situation for New Credit," said Brant MP Phil McColeman. "Acceptance of the settlement tells me the leadership of New Credit wants very much to move firmly into the 21st century and so do the band members. I'm incredibly pleased the vote was so highly in favour of moving forward.
"The federal government wants to work with aboriginal leaders to help First Nations. This agreement provides huge economic opportunities for New Credit to improve the lives of its band members."
The Mississaugas once lived along the Credit River, until they signed away in two treaties -the so-called Toronto Purchase in 1787 and another one in 1805 -a territory that covers much of the present- day GTA.
The total area of the first purchase stretching from Etobicoke Creek to Ashbridges Bay and 28 miles north was turned over for 10 shillings -about $60 in today's money. The second purchase, for a similar stretch of land for the same amount of money, takes up present- day Mississauga.
The Mississaugas agreed to move in the 1840s to a 2,900-acre parcel allotted for them by Six Nations in the southwest corner of that reserve, near Hagersville.
Historians and land claims specialists came to the conclusion that the Mississaugas were not properly apprised of what they had agreed to at the time.
The settlement offer was based on land values estimated at the time and factored forward into today's figures.