November 8 marks National Aboriginal Veterans Day (Photo: The Canadian Press)

By Justin Goulet

ABORIGINAL VETERANS DAY

Celebrating the efforts of Indigenous veterans

Nov 8, 2019 | 7:49 AM

LETHBRIDGE- November 8 marks a special day across the nation.

It’s National Aboriginal Veterans Day (NAVD), celebrating the many contributions of Indigenous soldiers during the First and Second World Wars and other battles such as the Korean War.

Retired Warrant Officer Glenn Miller, who works with the Lethbridge Legion, spoke with Lethbridge News Now on the significant impact Indigenous soldiers have had on Canada’s military history.

He said NAVD was inaugurated in Winnipeg back in 1994. It’s since spread across the country.

“Indigenous veterans didn’t have to join [the Canadian Forces] because they weren’t treated as Canadian citizens initially, but they did join, and a lot of people don’t realize there was more Indigenous veterans that joined on a per capita basis than anyone else in Canada,” Miller told LNN.

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“So, [they were] treated just as [any other] solider in the military. After the war [was] over, many were treated in a far less respectful way when they returned back to Canada or on the reserve.”

Miller said down the street from The Response, National War Memorial in Ottawa is a bronze monument dedicated to the Aboriginal community, the National Aboriginal Veterans Monument.

He added that he believes the contributions of Indigenous soldiers was extremely important for Canada and commended their efforts to fight for equal rights with Veterans Affairs Canada has been inspiring and has evolved over time.

Provincial Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson issued the following statement:

“On Nov. 8, we honour the thousands of Indigenous veterans from the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, Afghanistan and other Canadian Armed Forces efforts. For many reasons, Indigenous veterans deserve our gratitude.

“These Indigenous men and women overcame challenges, including travelling far from home to enlist and leaving their families and loved ones to afford us peace, freedom, and all the rights and privileges of a democracy.

“Indigenous veterans also contributed their valuable skills, often working as successful snipers and reconnaissance scouts who secretly gathered information on the enemy. Others created and interpreted radio code in Indigenous languages to evade the enemy.

“Sadly, many of these veterans died in combat; others suffered from trauma and injuries, only to continue facing discrimination in their homeland. They deserve our gratitude for selflessly sacrificing their lives and well-being for our freedom.

“On behalf of our government, thank you.”

(Lethbridge News Now)