It wasn’t until 1994, when Indigenous veterans and their families began advocating for recognition, that Canadian society became aware of the mistreatment Indigenous soldiers faced upon returning home. During wartime, Canada took vast amounts of reserve lands, some of which were granted as farmland to non-Indigenous veterans in recognition of their service. Meanwhile, Indigenous veterans were frequently denied the full veterans’ benefits and support programs offered to their non-Indigenous counterparts. In some cases, they were even pressured to “enfranchise”—a process in which they could gain Canadian citizenship and its associated rights, but only if they relinquished their Indian Status and cultural identities.

Today, Indigenous people are celebrated and acknowledged at all levels for their contributions to Canada’s military history. On November 8th, hundreds of ceremonies and vigils are held across the country to honor and reflect on the Indigenous experience in the Canadian military.

To recognize, acknowledge, respect and remember what Indigenous veterans did for our country, we are gifting staff & students commemorative pins. 

Pins can be picked up from the Notre Dame Campus Indigenous Student Support Center (F205).

Stop by 12:00pm-2:00pm to collect your pin.

Last year, VP, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development Jamie Wilson shared his experiences in the Canadian and American militaries, which you can read here on the blog.

Learn more about National Indigenous Veterans’ Day on the Library blog or check out these resources:

• Indigenous Veterans – Veterans Affairs Canada
• First Nations in Canada (rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca)
• Civilization.ca – History of the Vote – Chronicle, A spotlight on 1920-1997 (historymuseum.ca)
• Why some Indigenous people chose to go to war for Canada | Folio (ualberta.ca)
• Indigenous Veterans Day Resource (trentu.ca)
• Support for Veterans (legion.ca)