Last Friday, National Indigenous Veterans Day was celebrated.
In addition, a Service of Remembrance will be held Monday Nov. 11 at Oneida Nation of the Thames.
myFM spoke with Chief Todd Cornelius about his message at that time.
He advised it will be a time to acknowledge our First Nations veterans and Oneida’s veterans and honour the soldiers who lost their lives, but also serve to educate the public about inadequate veteran benefits and rights of First Nations survivors.
“I would like to start the day by thanking all of those above us who, despite the risk and sacrifice, raised their hand to serve and defend this beautiful country.”
Cornelius added, “Thank you for the bravery of doing what you were called to do, so we can safely do what we are free to do.”
He addressed the unfair treatment of some Indigenous veterans upon their return to Canada.
“They expropriated hundreds of thousands of acres of reserve land during this era. Some of the land was taken from Indigenous Peoples as part of the program that granted farmland to returning veterans.
“The government typically denied this re-establishment program to Indigenous veterans and also treated them unfairly in other ways.
“Many Indigenous People had hoped that war-time service and sacrifice would increase their rights in Canadian society.’
It has been estimated as many as 12,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit People served in the two World Wars and other conflicts in the 20th century.
