KIRKLAND LAKE - For the first time, a northern town plans to recognize its Indigenous veterans.
On Indigenous Veterans Day this Friday, Nov. 8, a Kirkland Lake ceremony is honouring and remembering local Indigenous veterans. It's being hosted by Beaverhouse First Nation.
The ceremony is taking place at 10:30 a.m. at the cenotaph located at 38 Duncan St. N.
John MacDonell, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 87 president, shared the details of the historic event.
The open and closing ceremonies will include a blend of legion customs and Indigenous traditions, and remembrance candles will be lit.
A native elder will bless and light the first candle, followed by children lighting candles around the cenotaph as an act of remembrance.
The children will also lay rocks around the cenotaph, symbolizing respect and remembrance for Indigenous veterans who served in conflicts, including the First World War and Second World War and the Korean War.
MacDonell explained that the idea for the ceremony came from the town’s interest in recognizing Indigenous veterans.
“The first ceremony of this kind was held in Manitoba in 1994, and it’s been expanding across the country since. We’re going to try it this year, and if it’s successful, we might invite Matachewan First Nation next year," he said.
Mayor Stacy Wight said she “believes marking this day with members of the Indigenous community is an important step toward reconciliation at the local level.”
TimminsToday reached out to Beaverhouse First Nation but did not receive a response.
The names of 27 fallen soldiers with connections to Kirkland Lake are also being added to the town's cenotaph.
Author Bill Glover discovered the names through research during the COVID-19 pandemic. The soldiers served in various wars, but their names haven't been listed in Kirkland Lake.
“The plaque with those 27 names is being constructed, but it doesn’t look like it will be ready in time for Remembrance Day,” MacDonell said.
“When the plaque is ready and mounted, we will hold a separate ceremony to honour those individuals.”
