Did you know November 8 is National Indigenous Veterans Day?

November 8 marks National Indigenous Veterans Day, a day when we come together to honor and remember the extraordinary contributions of our Indigenous ancestors during the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.

In the Northwest region, Indigenous heritage and history are deeply intertwined with the story of Canada. Our ancestors played vital roles during the War of 1812, defending our emerging nation from American attacks and safeguarding our people. Their courage and sacrifices laid the foundation for the Canada we cherish today.

 

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Our local Indigenous veterans, such as Sergeant Tommy Prince of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, are among the most decorated soldiers in the country’s history. Despite their heroism, many of them modestly believed they were merely fulfilling their duty.

National Aboriginal Veterans Day, initially established in Manitoba in 1994, has since evolved into National Indigenous Veterans Day, observed annually on November 8. It’s a day to pay tribute to the immense contributions and sacrifices made by our Indigenous ancestors in shaping Canada’s reputation in both wartime and peacekeeping missions.

A national monument in Ottawa, near the National War Memorial, stands as a symbol of our Indigenous peoples’ enduring contributions in war and peacekeeping. It was unveiled on National Aboriginal Day on June 21, 2001, a testament to their dedication.

On November 8, let’s make a conscious effort to better understand the pivotal role played by Indigenous Veterans in shaping our nation and express our heartfelt gratitude. Ceremonies will be held across our region and throughout Canada, and all of us should take a moment to honor our Indigenous veterans.

On June 21, 2001, on the occasion of National Aboriginal Day (now known as National Indigenous Peoples Day), a national monument to Indigenous Veterans was unveiled in Ottawa. The unveiling is the result of the hard work and perseverance of the National Aboriginal Veterans Association (NAVA), the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, and Senator Nick Taylor.

The upper part of the sculpture is made of bronze with a brown patina, while the base is a piece of diamond brown stone from Shawinigan. It beautifully conveys the idea that the desire for peace often underlies the necessity of war.

This monument symbolizes the strength and unity of Indigenous peoples, representing the four cardinal directions and the qualities admired in Indigenous cultures. It serves as a tribute to the thousands of men and women who defended the freedom of our country. The artist, Lloyd Pinay, comes from a heritage that includes Plains Ojibway, Plains Cree, and Sioux origins, and his father was a Second World War Veteran.

Today, about 3.5% of the Canadian Armed Forces is comprised of First Nation descendants, representing diverse cultures. They continue to make our region and country proud through their service, both at home and abroad. Let us honor their contributions and the legacy of those who came before them.

It’s essential to acknowledge the challenges our Indigenous veterans faced, not just in the past but also in more recent history. They were not allowed to share a “toast” in honor of fallen comrades with other veterans in a Royal Canadian Legion until 1951, and only if the province permitted it. This extended to Remembrance Day. Native veterans and families were not authorized to lay wreaths or form guards at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Remembrance Day until the mid-1990s.

In the spirit of reconciliation, recognizing the roles of Indigenous peoples in protecting our region and Canada helps all citizens understand the true meaning of reconciliation. We must never forget the sacrifices and achievements of our Indigenous Veterans as we move forward in our journey of healing, reconciliation, and building a renewed relationship between Canada and its First Nations peoples.

 

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