Indigenous Veterans Day
On Indigenous Veterans Day, November 8, we pay tribute to the important contributions and sacrifices made by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in service to Canada. An estimated 12,000 Indigenous people served during World War I and II and the Korean War, and more than 2,500 currently serve in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Books, articles
Vancouver Island and area veterans:
- Edwin Victor Cook – Indigenous war hero born in Alert Bay, Namgis First Nation
- Snuneymuxw Elder preserving memories of local Indigenous veterans features Geraldine Manson, author of Snuneymuxw history written in places and spaces : ancestors’ voices–an echo in time
Indigenous military service blog posts at Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
- Tommy George Prince Military Medal and Silver Star Recipient
- 14 facts you may not know about contributions of Indigenous veterans
- Indigenous veterans: equals on the battlefields, but not at home
- Indigenous war heroes – more than a few good men
- Canadian Indigenous code talkers remain unacknowledged
- Aboriginal enlistment in the Canadian Forces – challenges
A Commemorative history of Aboriginal people in the Canadian military National Defence Canada, 2009.
Report on National Indigenous Veterans Day Native Women’s Association of Canada, 2023. Features Indigenous women in military service.
Podcasts
Honouring our Indigenous veterans. Unreserved with Rosanna Deerchild, CBC, aired November 10, 2022.
Sitting by the fire podcast series commemorating Indigenous peoples’ military service, 2019. Canada School of Public Service.
- Part 1 A Look back in history, with John Moses, Canadian Museum of History, member of the Delaware and Upper Mohawk bands from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.
- Part 2 Métis veterans, with Brian Black, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario Veterans Council.
- Part 3 An Inuk woman’s experience, with Sarah Leo, honorary colonel for Triple Force Squadron, Combat Support Squadron, Goose Bay, Labrador.
Videos
- Bones of crows by Marie Clement (2023) A powerful drama based on Canadian and Indigenous history, following Cree matriarch Aline Spears from residential school survivor to World War II code talker. Access with a free CBC Gem account or borrow on dvd.
- Forgotten warriors by Loretta Todd National Film Board (NFB) (1997) The documentary introduces thousands of Indigenous Canadians who enlisted and fought alongside their countrymen and women during World War II. While they fought for the freedom of others, they were being denied equality in their own country and returned home to find their land seized. Veterans share their war stories and healing process.
- Gene Boy came home by Alanis Obomsawin NFB (2007) This short documentary by celebrated filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin is a portrait of Eugene “Gene Boy” (pronounced Genie Boy) Benedict, from Odanak Indian Reserve (near Montreal, Quebec). At 17, he enlisted in the US Marines and was sent to the frontlines of the Vietnam War. This film is the account of his 2 years of service and his long journey back to Odanak afterwards.
- Return of the warrior’s sword by Naomi Recollet NFB (2018) This film explores the history behind the Sword of Mookomaanish, an artefact from the war of 1812, which embodies the Anishinaabe’s strength and will to defend and protect their land. Indigenous veterans join a ceremony to celebrate the sword’s return.
- Cree code talker by Alex Lazarowich (2016) This film reveals the role of Canadian Cree code talker Charles ‘Checker’ Tomkins during the Second World War. Digging deep into the US archives it depicts the true story of Charles’ involvement with the US Air Force and the development of the code talkers communication system, which was used to transmit crucial military communications, using the Cree language as a vital secret weapon in combat.
- Indian braves by Desmond Simon and Nate Gaffney (2023) Following the work done by the Last Post Fund to honour Indigenous veterans by purchasing/installing gravestones, this documentary travels across the country to meet veterans and their families to hear their stories of life in the Canadian military. Access with a free CBC Gem account.
Additional resources are available at the Government of Canada’s Indigenous Veterans webpage.