Today we honor Indigenous Veterans – Carswellfamilyfoundation

“On Indigenous Veterans Day, Ontarians are encouraged to take the opportunity to honor the tens of thousands of Indigenous veterans who have helped keep our country safe through wars and conflicts.”

Lest we forget.

First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples have a long and proud tradition of military service to our country, and on November 8 we take time to reflect and honor their actions, their bravery and their sacrifices.

“Today, on Indigenous Veterans Day, Ontarians are invited to take the opportunity to honor and remember the tens of thousands of Indigenous veterans who have helped keep our country safe through war and conflict,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs. . and First Nations Economic Reconciliation.

Indigenous peoples have a long history of “serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, joining the front lines of every conflict Canada has been involved in,” the minister continued. “Indigenous soldiers volunteered in large numbers, leaving their communities and crossing cultural and linguistic differences to demonstrate their commitment to defending our country.”

Many Indigenous volunteers faced discrimination and often had to learn a new language and adapt to cultural differences when they put on the uniform. The Government of Canada noted that “the problems they faced often extended throughout their post-service lives. Many Indigenous war veterans will not receive equal treatment compared to other Canadian veterans.”

Thus, National Aboriginal Veterans Day was first observed in Winnipeg on November 8, 1993. The following year, the Manitoba government officially recognized the day. Since this first ceremony, the commemoration has been celebrated throughout the country.

More than 4,000 Indigenous people served during the First World War. “This was a remarkable response” to the call to serve, the Canadian government noted on its website. In some communities, “one in three able-bodied men will volunteer.”

“Indigenous recruits enlisted for a variety of reasons,” the government article continued, “from seeking work or adventure to wanting to uphold the tradition that their ancestors had fought alongside the British in earlier hostilities such as the War of 1812.” and the war in the south. African War”.

The size of the draft was similar to that of World War II. During the war, many Indigenous soldiers served as snipers and scouts, and during these terrible years, the “Cryptographer” was born. Coders translated secret radio messages into the Cree language so that enemies could not decipher them. Another Cree speaker was on the other side and could translate instructions to the English-speaking soldiers.

“Indigenous Veterans Day recognizes the brave, resilient Indigenous men and women who served and their many sacrifices to protect our freedoms,” said Minister Rickford.

Lest we forget.

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter working for BayToday, a Village Media publication. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.