Reflecting on Indigenous Veterans Day

Submitted by Lindsay Brant, Director Indigenous Initiatives 
 
Each year on November 8, people across the country come together to observe Indigenous Veterans Day, a time to honour the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis men and women who have served, and continue to serve, in the Canadian Armed Forces. 

For many, this day is not only about remembrance but also about reflection. Indigenous peoples have a long and proud history of military service, volunteering in great numbers during both World Wars, the Korean War, and peacekeeping missions around the world. They served with courage, skill, and deep commitment—often as scouts, snipers, and soldiers on the front lines. Yet when they returned home, many faced systemic discrimination and were denied the same recognition and veterans’ benefits as their non-Indigenous comrades. 

Indigenous Veterans Day, first recognized in Manitoba in 1994, emerged from a desire to acknowledge these injustices and to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous veterans and their communities. Today, the day stands as both a tribute and a call to reconciliation—a reminder that remembrance must include truth and recognition. 

Across Turtle Island, ceremonies and gatherings mark the day with Indigenous songs, prayers, and stories, blending traditional ways of honouring with military remembrance. For our SLC community, November 8 invites us to learn, to listen, and to reflect on how the spirit of service and sacrifice connects us all. 

As we approach Remembrance Day, may we also take a moment to remember those whose stories were too long left untold—and to ensure that their legacy continues to be seen, heard, and respected. 
Pictured here is my late maternal grandfather, Clarence William McEwen (Jan. 15, 1917-Oct. 3, 1992). He was born in Bolingbrooke, Ontario, and was a proud family man who raised his family along with his wife Muriel on their farm in Glenburnie, Ontario. He served as a signalman in World War II. He was of mixed European/Algonquin heritage but due to extreme discrimination and racism that he faced, he chose not to acknowledge his Indigenous identity.

On Indigenous Veterans Day, I choose to honour him and many other Indigenous peoples who dedicated themselves to fighting for our freedom, and protection from the very injustices that they faced too.