THUNDER BAY - From the War of 1812, the First and Second World Wars, to peacekeeping and the War in Afghanistan, countless Indigenous people have stepped forward to serve the Crown and their country, though their sacrifices have not always been honoured.
“Men and women who heard the call and the invitation just came forward to serve even though they may not have been recognized and honoured as others have, their commitment to Canada, to Turtle Island, to their country, has been shown by how many men and women have served over the years and given their lives,” said veteran Maj. Kerry McLaughlin (retired) of Métis Nation of Ontario.
McLaughlin was among several speakers honouring the sacrifices of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit veterans at Lakehead University during its first National Indigenous Veterans Day ceremony on Monday.
Indigenous Veterans Day was first started in Manitoba in 1994 by Indigenous people who served in the armed forces but were not being recognized in the same way as other veterans who also served.
Denise Baxter, vice provost Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University, said the ceremony and exhibit on display in the Agora is meant to educate students and the public about the contributions of Indigenous peoples in many conflicts throughout the 19th and 20th century.
During the First World War, Second World War, and Korean War, it is estimated that more than 12,000 Indigenous people served, with more than 300 losing their lives.
During this period, Indigenous people in Canada were not citizens and unable to vote, but many still volunteered to enlist as soldiers and nurses, being one of the most decorated groups of the First World War.
“Many First Nation, Métis, and Inuit people in spite of that, gave their status or community status to the government so they could become Canadians and then they could enlist in the war,” Baxter said. “That caused a lot of hardships for families and generations of people as a result of those processes. But in spite of that it mattered enough that they still did it.”
The exhibit in the Agora was created with the help of Treaty 3, the Thunder Bay Museum, Fort Frances Museum, the Métis Nation of Ontario, Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre, and Glenn Jourdain of Couchiching First Nation, who passed away in July of 2021.
The exhibit focuses primarily on the role of Indigenous people during the First and Second World Wars and includes artifacts from that time period.
Baxter said the exhibit is meant to shed some light on the experiences of Indigenous people during this time in history and honour their memory and sacrifices.
“A lot of people don’t know about Indigenous Veterans Day, most people are familiar with Remembrance Day,” she said.
“But many Indigenous people fought since World War One and prior to that alongside the Crown in various wars since settlers arrived in North America. So we just really wanted to have an opportunity to hear from some people about it, learn a little more, and pay our respects to those who have fought.”
Despite so many Indigenous people stepping forward to serve, many did not receive recognition or benefits.
McLaughlin said it wasn’t until 2019 when Métis veterans started to receive compensation.
“I believe there is a great movement forward,” he said. “Within the Indigenous culture there is a great honour given and bestowed to veterans.”
“It’s important to recognize and remember all the veterans whether it be First Nation, Métis, or Inuit who have served and given their lives, but also to remember the families because they too have made the ultimate sacrifice for the men and women who have served in the great wars, Korea, peace keeping, Afghanistan, so today is to remember all Indigenous veterans.”
The exhibit at Lakehead University will be on display until Friday, Nov. 12.
