RDP hosts guest speaker for Indigenous Veterans Day
November 8 marks National Indigenous Veterans Day, which Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) recognized with a presentation from Brian St. Germain, who’s father served in the Canadian military during WWII.
About 50 people enjoyed soup and bannock while Brian told the story of his father, Corporal Alphonse Joseph St. Germain (1920-2002), and his time serving Canada on the front lines. He also shared background on Indigenous contributions to the military as a whole.
Brian’s curiosity about his father’s journey as a soldier began with why he enrolled in the first place, which Alphonse shed some light on in their discussions.
Some Indigenous citizens joined in effort to escape the oppression of reserve life and the control of the Indian Agents. Others wanted to join family and friends who had already enlisted, or saw it as an opportunity to see the world. Patriotism and a desire to honour the traditional warrior spirit harboured by the Indigenous peoples were factors as well, Brian communicated.