Veterans gathered at the Victory Square Cenotaph in Vancouver in 2013. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

lest we forget

Leaders mark National Indigenous Veterans Day

Nov 8, 2020 | 11:35 AM

Sunday, Nov. 8 is National Indigenous Veterans Day.

More than 12,000 Indigenous people served in WWI, WWII and the Korean War.

“They left their homes and families for environments where they faced prejudice and often had to operate in a new language,” Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said Sunday. “Some still did not have the right to vote. And yet they volunteered to risk life and limb. There are no words to describe that level of self-sacrifice.”

Kenney added that many of those veterans’ descendants still serve today in each branch of the Canadian Armed Forces, as work towards reconciliation continues.

“We can’t erase past injustices but we can tell the truth. We can give those who fought for all of Canada, despite those injustices, the honour they so richly deserve,” the premier remarked.

Alternate options

Town of Sylvan Lake reminds residents bills must be paid, despite ongoing Canada Post strike

33m ago

2025 Budget

Town of Sylvan Lake approves 2025 capital budget, asking for public feedback on operating budget

1h ago

REC FEES, FLEET MANAGEMENT, AND MORE

Blackfalds town council searches for savings and revenue opportunities

1h ago

“Thank you to all Indigenous veterans past and present for your service – and for your courage and generosity in choosing to serve.”

Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley chimed in on Twitter, writing, “On Indigenous Veterans Day, we honour the Indigenous Canadians who fought and gave their lives to protect our country. Despite their service and sacrifice, many returned home to face discrimination and hardship. Today we fight for continued support of our Indigenous veterans.”

Joint remarks also came from Ottawa, on behalf of Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services and Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs.

“Today, we mark the important contributions made by First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans in service to Canada. Our country is indebted to them for their sacrifices, and for the impacts their service has had on their families and communities,” they said.

“From the War of 1812 to Afghanistan and beyond, Indigenous peoples have served in times of war and peace for more than two hundred years. For too long, however, that service has often been overlooked and underappreciated. Indigenous Veterans Day was first recognized in Winnipeg in 1994 when Indigenous Veterans were not recognized in Remembrance Day activities, and it is commemorated across the country today.”

The ministers also acknowledged that 2020 is the 75th anniversary of the end WWII. They note the more than 3,000 Indigenous persons who served during that conflict, including Willard Bolduc of the Ojibwa Nation in Ontario.

“From the War of 1812 to Afghanistan and beyond, Indigenous peoples have served in times of war and peace for more than two hundred years. For too long, however, that service has often been overlooked and underappreciated. Indigenous Veterans Day was first recognized in Winnipeg in 1994 when Indigenous Veterans were not recognized in Remembrance Day activities, and it is commemorated across the country today.

“Flying Officer Bolduc was a gunner in the Bomber Command of the Royal Air Force’s No. 15 Squadron, flying mission after mission over occupied Europe, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944,” they shared.

“We also recognize the service of modern-day Veterans, like Debbie Eisan from the Batchewana First Nation, and Sarah Leo, an Inuk woman. Chief Petty Officer 2^nd Class (retired) Eisan served 36 years with the Royal Canadian Navy, and became an Indigenous advisor to senior military leaders.”

In 2019, Leo was appointed Honourary Colonel of 444 Combat Support Squadron, located at 5 Wing Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. She also served as president of the Nunatsiavut Government, the self-governing Inuit land claims organization in Nunatsiavut.

“Finally, we pay tribute to the more than 2,700 Indigenous members currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces. Here in Canada and on operations around the world, they continue to uphold the proud legacy of service left behind by generations past.”