On Nov. 8, Indigenous Veterans Day, the Four Nations of Maskwacis paid tribute to veterans of Maskwacis who have served their nation and country, past and present.
The Maskwacis Cree Veterans Memorial Day service was held at the Maskwacis cenotaph in Samson Cree Nation.
There were speakers followed by a bagged lunch for participants.
The 2024 Ermineskin Cree Nation Veterans Day Powwow was held on Nov. 9.
"By recognizing the sacrifices and contributions of our Indigenous veterans, we honour not only their service but also their strength, resilience, and cultural significance in both the military and broader society," stated a post on the nation's Facebook page.
Also on Nov. 9, a ground breaking ceremony was held for the new Veterans Hall, located at Samson's Farm and Ranch on 5 Mile 611 East.
Established in 1994, Indigenous Veterans Day recognizes the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis veterans of the Canadian armed forces. As many as 12,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit soldiers served in the major conflicts of the 20th century.
“We gather on Nov. 8 to honour the thousands of Indigenous Peoples who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces and in peacekeeping efforts abroad," said Minister of Indigenous Relations Rick Wilson in a statement.
"Indigenous Peoples have a long and proud history of bravery and sacrifice and their contributions have been invaluable. They have brought unique and critical skills, perspectives and cultural knowledge to their roles, enriching the efficacy of Canada’s military."
There are almost 3,000 active Indigenous members in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force and Primary Reserve Force today.
"This day was established to recognize the often-overlooked sacrifices and contributions of Indigenous veterans who served with distinction in the three major wars of the 20th century and beyond," said Wilson.
The 2019 report of the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs stated First Nations people, Inuit and Metis were subjected to injustices by the Government of Canada simply because they belonged to an Indigenous community.
"If the wounds associated with these injustices are to be healed, both sides must take the crucial first step of acknowledging the objective truth of the past prejudice against Indigenous veterans and the broken promises that even today undermine Indigenous veterans’ trust in the Government of Canada," said the report.
"A great deal of work has been done in the last few decades to document both the remarkable contribution made by Indigenous people to Canada’s war effort during the major conflicts of the 20th century and the unfair treatment they received after they became veterans."
“As we stand together in ceremonies across the province, let us commit to ensuring that the sacrifices of Indigenous veterans are never forgotten," said Wilson. "Let us honour their memory by sharing their stories, celebrating their achievements and continuing to work towards a future where their contributions are fully recognized and appreciated.”
