The community banded together today to remember Indigenous veterans.
Community members gathered at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre to honour and remember the work and sacrifices of Indigenous service members in the two world wars and the Korean War.
Nov. 8 is recognized as Indigenous Veterans Day. The first one was celebrated in Winnipeg in 1994.
“In the past, there hasn’t been really big acknowledgment in Timmins to this day,” said Christian Young, an Indigenous community mental health worker and event organizer. “The legion donated a wonderful wreath to be presented today.”
The wreath will also be laid on the cenotaph at the Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11.
The friendship centre has lit a sacred fire in front of the building so that people can lay medicines in honour of veterans who are no longer alive or who are not attending the event.
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The importance of recognizing the sacrifices of Indigenous service members is an essential step to understanding, said Young.
“The biggest thing we’ve noticed is that there isn’t a lot of recognition for the sacrifices Indigenous people had made when they served,” he said. “Indigenous veterans have been critical for many of the victories we’ve seen in wartime. Not only that, but to enlist, they had to make an ultimate sacrifice.”
Many Indigenous service members had to give up their status to enlist.
“They gave up their home community, adapt to a new culture, learn a new language, and when they returned, they couldn’t always go back to that,” said Young.
More than 7,000 Indigenous people volunteered to serve during the First World War, Second World War, and the Korean War.
Lunch and activities are also available in the gym with craft kits to make a beaded poppy.
Mushkegowuk Grand Chief Leo Friday and Deputy Grand Chief Amos Wesley attended the event.
Wesley said it’s important to share the knowledge of the community’s role in the Canadian military.
“I’m hopeful that we’ll be more knowledgable in the past wars and past sacrifices that our Indigenous members did in the past,” he said. “Especially with the youth, so they can hear about the stories of what happened.”
He said that celebrating both Indigenous Veterans Day and Remembrance Day is important to recognize the people who have protected the country.
“We respect them, we honour them, we will always remember them,” said Wesley. “I’m very honoured to be here to celebrate the day.”
The event is on until 3 p.m. at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre on Kirby Avenue.
