City recognizes National Indigenous Veterans Day
November 8 is National Indigenous Veterans Day; a day to recognize the historic and present-day military service contributions of Indigenous people. While Remembrance Day (November 11) recognizes the contributions of all veterans, Indigenous Veterans Day was established to give gratitude for the historically overlooked contributions Indigenous veterans have made to Canada and the world.
It has been estimated that as many as 12,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people served in the great conflicts of the 20th century and at least 500 lost their lives. Indigenous people have had to overcome many challenges to serve in uniform—from learning a new language and adapting to cultural differences, to travelling great distances from their remote communities just to enlist.
Indigenous men and women have continued to serve in uniform in the post-war years as well. For example: by fulfilling North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) duties in Europe during the Cold War, and serving with United Nations and other multinational peace support operations around the world. In more recent years, many Indigenous Canadian Armed Forces members saw hazardous duty in Afghanistan.
Indigenous military personnel have also filled a wide variety of roles closer to home, including serving with the Canadian Rangers. This group of army reservists is active predominantly in the North, as well as on remote stretches of our east and west coasts. The Rangers use their intimate knowledge of the land there to help maintain a national military presence in these difficult-to-reach areas, monitoring the coastlines and assisting in local rescue operations.
Residents can honour Indigenous veterans and their families by wearing a beaded or unbeaded poppy on November 8. Beaded poppies hold special significance to many Indigenous veterans and residents of our community; this reflection of identity is important. Some artisans share the proceeds from beaded poppies with the legion or the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations – Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association. Residents that choose to wear a beaded poppy can still purchase an unbeaded poppy or make a donation directly to the Royal Canadian Legion.
On Nov. 8, the Remai Modern is also showing special screenings every two hours, including: Honouring Our Heroes: A Tribute to Métis Veterans and a pre-recorded ‘Fireside Chat’ between Knowledge Keeper Lyndon Linklater and veterans Stephen Ross & Hilliard Paul Kahpeaysewat.
Learn more about Indigenous Veterans.