7 Posts to Read on National Indigenous Veterans Day

First commemorated in 1994, National Indigenous Veterans Day, November 8th, is a day to remember and recognize Indigenous contributions to military service in Canada. In recognition of National Indigenous Veterans Day, we are sharing 7 articles that highlight the significant contributions Indigenous veterans made during times of war, from the vital role of Code Talkers and Indigenous war heroes to the challenges they faced upon returning home.

1. Did you know that in Indigenous communities where health and education levels were advanced, virtually every eligible man joined the armed forces? Or that it was not until 1995, a year after the first Indigenous Veterans Day, that Indigenous Peoples were allowed to lay Remembrance Day wreaths at the National War Memorial to remember and honour their dead comrades? We cover these and 12 more facts about Indigenous Veterans in this blog post:

14 Facts You May Not Know About Contributions of Indigenous Veterans

2. This next article addresses the obstacles Indigenous peoples looking to enlist faced and the treatment veterans received when they came home. It highlights the sacrifice so many made, especially considering the unequal treatment compared to other Canadian Veterans.

Indigenous Veterans: Equals on the Battlefields, but Not at Home

3. Our 3rd post talks about Edwin Victor Cook, who signed up in Vancouver to fight during the First World War. It's written by Wedlidi Speck, who speaks passionately about a man his family considers a hero.

Edwin Victor Cook - Indigenous War Hero

4. Another biographical post is that of Tommy George Prince, who fought for Canada in the Second World War and the Korean War. He is perhaps Canada’s most decorated Indigenous soldier, and his story is both inspiring and tragic:

Tommy George Prince Military Medal and Silver Star Recipient

5. The story of how the Code Talkers were able to send encrypted, unintelligible messages is an exciting one that has been made into movies. They are said to be the Canadian military's unrecognized secret weapon. Read more:

Canadian Indigenous Code Talkers Remain Unacknowledged

6. This post contains a list of just a few of the many whose chests proudly bore the medals they so justly deserved. It includes Tom Longboat, a famous distance runner who forsook his lucrative running career to enlist as a dispatch carrier and ran messages and orders between units in WWI. Francis Pegahmagabow also won medals for his bravery during the First World War and became a vocal advocate for Indigenous rights.

Indigenous War Heroes - More Than a Few Good Men

7. The last article on our list covers some possible reasons Indigenous peoples are reluctant to enlist today. (In 2024, Indigenous peoples represent about 5% of Canada’s multicultural population of over 41 million but only 3% of the Canadian Armed Forces self-identifies as Indigenous. [1]) It also highlights just a few of the ways the CAF are working to entice new Indigenous recruits.

Aboriginal Enlistment in the Canadian Forces - Challenges

Indigenous Peoples in Canada have fought on the front line of every major battle Canada has been involved in, and have done so with valour and distinction.

[1] Indigenous participation in the Canadian Armed Forces, (Sept 25, 2024), Queen's University.

Featured photo: Raielene Langdon