Remembrance Week

Recognizing all who served

Lions Bay will remember those who have given their lives in service of Canada with a ceremony held beginning at 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11 at the Village Hall.

In recent years, the nature of remembrance in Canada has grown to include Indigenous Veterans Day, celebrated every year since 1994 on November 8. This date stands to commemorate not only the sacrifices of Indigenous Veterans, but also to address the historical injustices many faced during and after their service in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Indigenous Peoples have fought on behalf and in support of Canada since the war of 1812, before this country was even a nation. There have been Indigenous soldiers fighting for Canada in the South African War (1899-1902), the first and second World Wars, the Korean War, and many contemporary conflicts.

Indigenous soldiers brought marksmanship and tracking skills that had been passed down through generations, which proved invaluable on the front lines of these conflicts. In the Second World War, Indigenous languages were used to help encode the transmission of military communications.

Despite these contributions, Indigenous soldiers were often not offered the reintegration support, benefits and land grants their non-Indigenous compatriots received.

The marking of Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8 is a chance to celebrate the heroism and resilience of these soldiers, both on the battlefield and in confronting the systemic injustices they experienced upon returning home.

When Canadians participate in commemorative ceremonies on November 11, they also have the opportunity to reflect on the legacy of the Indigenous Veterans who have, and continue to serve this nation.

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