Monday marks the 27th National Indigenous Veterans Day, honouring the sacrifices Indigenous people have made to serve their country. 

Manitobans are commemorating First Nations, Metis, and Inuit military veterans. 

“On behalf of all First Nations in Manitoba and all their citizens, I acknowledge and pay tribute to all our First Nations Veterans on National Indigenous Veterans Day 2021, including those who are still with us and especially those who have passed on to the spirit world,"  Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas says in a statement. 

"We remember and honour the thousands of First Nations veterans who fought in World War I, World War II, and the Korean Conflict and who paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country.  We give our respect and thanks to those that are serving this country today."

Many Indigenous soldiers enlisted knowing they not only could lose their life in the service but also that when they returned they might now be able to go back home. In order to defend their country, First Nations people had to surrender their Indian Status that awarded them their treaty rights. 

Sergeant Tommy Prince is a descendant of Chief Peguis and is one of Canada's most decorated Indigenous soldiers, including being bestowed medals from King George VI and saving a man from drowning in Winnipeg. Because he was Indigenous, Prince could not access Veterans supports like his comrades, dying homeless in Winnipeg. 

“We remember Sgt. Prince not only for his heroic efforts on the battlefield but for his advocacy for the fair treatment of First Nations veterans in this country. It is through the tireless efforts of veterans such as Sgt. Tommy Prince, Elder Joseph Meconse, Melvin Swan, Wanbdi Wakita, and other members of the Manitoba Indigenous Veterans Inc., that our veterans are now more fully respected for their contributions."

Manitoba Metis Federation's President, David Chartrand, is asking people to remember the Metis for their battles both at home and abroad. They are lowering their flags from Monday to Thursday. 

"On Indigenous Veterans Day, we not only honour our Veterans who went to foreign soil to defend the democratic rights and freedoms of others, (but) we also honour our Red River Métis Veterans who gave their lives to protect our rights and freedoms," he says in a statement. "We honour the young boys and girls who joined the military to fight for a country that did not include them, and to protect people they did not know. We also honour the sacrifices of the families who watched their children go overseas to join the war efforts, knowing that some would not come home at all."

A joint statement from Premier Heather Stefanson and Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere is acknowledging past and present sacrifices.

"Indigenous peoples have and continue to make valuable contributions to our country’s peace and security, for which we as members of the Canadian society are all thankful," they say.

The pair is acknowledging that Indigenous people were not treated equally to their non-Indigenous counterparts.

stefanson poppyStefanson wears a beaded poppy during the PC election night in October. Beaded poppies have jumped in popularity this year, with many beaders offering proceeds to their local legions or organizations supporting Indigenous veterans in their communities.

"They returned home with a self-awareness that they were not ‘second-class’ persons, and they sought the same principles of democracy, freedom and equality for which all Canadians had fought and died."

Stefanson and Lagimodiere say today, more than 600 Indigenous communities are represented in the Canadian Armed Forces.