On Nov. 8, Canada celebrates National Indigenous Veterans Day to recognize the contribution and sacrifice of First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals in military service.
According to the Government of Canada, approximately 7,000 Indigenous men aged 20 to 35 enlisted in the First and Second World Wars and roughly 12,000 First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples have served in the Canadian Armed Forces over the last century.
Gladwyn Badger is the events and special projects coordinator in the office of Indigenous relations at the University of Waterloo. He served in the Canadian military from 2009 to 2012 as a gunner for the 1st Regiment in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery at the Canadian Forces Base in Shilo.
“Both of my grandfathers, Peter and Roger, served in World War II while my great-grandfather Alfred fought in World War I. These men did not receive the same recognition as their fellow soldiers upon returning home,” said Badger. “I feel a strong obligation to honour their legacy and acknowledge the sacrifices they made for a country that often marginalized them.”
In addition to the dangers faced by those on the front line, Indigenous soldiers also had the challenge of handling racism and a language barrier due to English being the predominantly spoken language throughout the trenches.
In 1876, First Nations were given a conditional right to vote, but only if they renounced their Indian status.
Because of this, many Indigenous veterans were unable to receive veterans’ benefits. Often, the Canadian government denied any support, banning soldiers from the Royal Canadian Legion halls where veterans would gather to socialize with other soldiers and receive advice on post-war benefits.
The government, under the In- dian Act, also expropriated reserve lands without band consent during this time. Many First Nations soldiers were praised for their marksmanship, including their stealth and patience. A chunk of these soldiers became snipers, sharpshooters and renaissance scouts or men who gathered information in enemy territory.
Another feat was the code talkers, men who would translate special and highly sensitive information over the radio in Cree, their native language, so they couldn’t be intercepted by enemy frequencies during the Second World War.
During the Second World War, those still in Canada’s First Nations community were a cornerstone of support, donating a large amount of money, clothing and food to help aid the troops overseas.
They also granted use of land on reserves for the construction of airports, rifle ranges and defense installments.
“I would encourage those who disagree with having a separate Indigenous veterans’ day to take the time to listen to the stories and experiences of Indigenous veterans,” said Badger. “If Indigenous veterans had been fully acknowledged and recognized from the start, we might not have needed a separate day to honour their contributions.”
For example, Francis Pegahmagabow was an Ojibwe Anishinaabe man who was a sniper from the Canadian Corps and served during the First World War. He held a divisional record of 115 fatal shots and was awarded a military medal and bar for his courage under fire.
“Open conversations help bridge the gap and gather a deeper appreciation for the unique sacrifices made by Indigenous veterans,” said Badger. “Understanding their motivations for joining the military and the challenges they faced can provide valuable insight into why this day is significant.”
