Indigenous Veterans Day
As we approach Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8, we pause to honour and remember the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples who have bravely served in Canada’s military.
Indigenous veterans contributed unique skills, often taking on roles as scouts, snipers, and even “code talkers” during the Second World War, using languages like Cree to secure sensitive communications from interception. Communities at home also made significant contributions, including offering reserve lands and resources to support military efforts.
Despite these sacrifices and contributions, many Indigenous veterans returned home to face systemic inequities: the loss of Indian Status, denial of veteran benefits, and even the expropriation of reserve lands for non-Indigenous veterans. It was not until 1995 that Indigenous veterans were recognized with the right to lay wreaths at the National War Memorial, and only in 2001 was the first monument dedicated to their sacrifices.
Today, on Indigenous Veterans Day, we reflect and recognize the courage, skill, and resilience of Indigenous veterans and honour their contributions to our country. Let us ensure their sacrifices are remembered, and their stories heard, as we work toward a future that values and supports all who have served.
This November 8, join us in paying tribute to the generations of Indigenous veterans who have given so much for Canada.
Learn more about the contributions of Indigenous veterans: