National Indigenous Veterans Day is coming up on Wednesday, and it’s a day to recognize how Canada’s First Nations, Inuit, and Metis people have contributed to military service in our country.
To mark the occasion, several communities and organizations Canada are holding events and services.
During the First World War, more than 4,000 Indigenous people served in uniform, bringing invaluable skills such as patience, stealth and marksmanship honed in their communities, where hunting was part of daily life. Their contributions during the Second World War and the Korean War were similarly highly valued.
While serving, a number of Indigenous soldiers became specialized reconnaissance scouts and snipers due to their ability to adapt to different landscapes. In the Second World War, some First Nations soldiers earned the title of ‘code talkers’ for secretly communicating and delivering military intelligence in the Cree language. Code talkers provided a unique service that helped protect our allies and win the war.
Take some time on November 8 to honour Indigenous Veterans and learn more about their past and current contributions to Canada’s proud military history.
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