National Aboriginal Veteran's Day celebrated November 8
This Saturday November 11 marks Remembrance Day in Canada. Residents of Lions Bay have been invited to pay tribute to the service of Canadian men and women at a ceremony that day, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Sir Norman Kirby Memorial Garden in front of the Village Hall.
Since 1994, however, National Aboriginal Veterans Day has been celebrated on November 8. The day was first marked in Manitoba, to acknowledge the inequity Indigenous Veterans have historically been subject to in this country. The First Nations, Inuit and Métis of Canada have a proud tradition of military service, but recognition of their sacrifice was long coming. Through both World Wars and the Korean conflict, up to 12,000 Indigenous men and women served as soldiers, marksmen, code talkers and scouts, with many making the ultimate sacrifice.
However, according to the Government of Canada, most were unfairly treated upon their return, and afterwards. "Canada expropriated hundreds of thousands of acres of reserve lands, with some of it given to non-Indigenous people as part of a program that granted farmland to returning Veterans. The government typically denied this reestablishment program to Indigenous Veterans ... also denying access to full Veteran benefits and support programs."
In his speech to mark the day this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that the government "is working to ensure that all Indigenous service members, Veterans, and their families are equally supported and recognized for their service." He invited Canadians to learn more of Indigenous sacrifice, bravery and resilience.
Something to keep in mind during tomorrow's service, which will be held on the on the traditional and unceded territories of the Skwxwú7mesh uxwúmixw (Squamish Nation).
Have thoughts about Remembrance Day or National Aboriginal Veteran's Day? Leave a comment below, or email The Watershed at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca
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