A week of National Remembrance begins today with Indigenous Veterans Day

A week of remembrance and commemoration of sacrifice in war will get underway today, as Canada pays its respects to Indigenous Veterans, with today marked by Indigenous Veterans Day, the events today the first of the next four days leading up to the National Ceremonies of Remembrance on the 11th of November.

Today's commemoration was introduced by Major-General Michel-Henri St-Louis, Acting Commander of the Canadian Army who outlined the importance of this day

In the time since Canada first became a nation, thousands of Indigenous Peoples have served with bravery and distinction. We revere figures such as Francis Pegahmagabow, Mary Greyeyes Reid, and Thomas George “Tommy” Prince. Through them, we commemorate the service of all Indigenous veterans. They heeded the call even when the country they served did not treat them as equals. 

For those who came home, the war was over, but they had other battles to win. Indigenous soldiers who returned from the First World War were deemed ineligible for tracts of farmland offered to other veterans on the grounds that they were already receiving government benefits not afforded to Canadians. 

Following World War Two and the Korean War, they were eligible for services and benefits, but only in principle. Many of their applications were not treated fairly, and the federal government would not recognize these inequities until the 1990s. 

Indigenous Veterans Day was inaugurated in 1994 in Winnipeg at a time when Indigenous Veterans were not being recognized as part of Remembrance Day ceremonies. This is why Indigenous Veterans now have a national platform of their own for recognition of their contributions.

Today's statement from the Major General also traces some of the history of Indigenous members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their awards and sacrifices.

The Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy also are paying their tributes today through their Social Media feeds.

Across British Columbia and Canada today, flags will fly at half staff to commemorate the sacrifice of Indigenous Veterans, the flags return to full staff at the end of the day, to be once agin returned to half staff for Remembrance Day this Thursday.

This year will also mark the 100th Anniversary of the poem In Flanders Field, John McCrae's timeless reflection on War and remembrance. 

To learn more about Indigenous Veterans Day and the Thursday program of Remembrance see the Government of Canada resources below:

Federal Statment

Veterans Affairs Remembrance Page

How the Royal Canadian Legion is observing this week can be followed here.