Schools throughout SJASD honoured Indigenous veterans on November 8, 2022, Indigenous People's Veteran's Day.
The day was established in Manitoba in 1994 to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of Indigenous veterans, and quickly spread to other provinces.
The SJASD Indigenous Education Team hosted a live, virtual Indigenous veterans' day event for high school students featuring Cpt. James Michaud, an Indigenous man with roots in Selkirk and Peguis First Nation.
James served in Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2006 as a LAV-III gunner with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) as part of Operation Archer. He enlisted in 2002, feeling compelled to serve after watching the impact of the terrorist attacks in New York City on 9-11. James shared that he struggled with PTSD when he returned from Afghanistan, but received counselling and wouldn't change anything about his past.
“If you have it in you, no explanation is necessary, but if you don't, no explanation is possible," he told the virtual gathering.
James shared with the gathering that his father served in the military and lost his Treaty rights as a result. James worked to restore his own Treaty rights in 2015. He told the group that the 7 Sacred Teachings helped him find balance after an ambush during his deployment caused the death of four soldiers and wounded 11 others.
“It was one of the worst days of my life," he told the group, adding that the 7th Sacred Teaching of Love has been important for his healing.
On Tuesday, students at Heritage School learned about the accomplishments of Sgt. Tommy Prince, one of the most decorated Indigenous veterans in Canada. Prince was a Residential School Survivor and a member of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. He was awarded 11 medals for his bravery and service in World War Two and the Korean War.
“This morning we held a moment of silence to honour Indigenous veterans and their contributions to protect our freedoms," said Principal Cheri Banks.
Classes also viewed a brief news piece announcing the creation of a postage stamp to honour Sgt. Tommy Prince and asked questions about the video. Cheri says grade 4/5 students will delve a little deeper into the racism and discrimination faced by many Indigenous veterans.
At Hedges Middle School, students observed a moment of silence at 10 a.m.. All Language Arts and Social Studies classes created a poppy with a photo of an Indigenous veteran in the centre and information about their life and accomplishments.
An estimated 12,000 First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples served in 20th century conflicts, with at least 500 losing their lives. Many were forced to overcome many challenges to serve. However, when they returned home, they faced discrimination, and weren't able to access the same level of supports as non-Indigenous veterans.
Today Indigenous service members are treated with more respect and currently make up about 3.5 per cent of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Thank you/Merci/Miigwetch/Ekosi/Marci for your service Indigenous veterans.
For more information on Indigenous People's Veteran's Day as well as Remembrance Day activities, follow school and Division accounts on Instagram.
Top banner image: (From left): Francis Pegahmagabow was awarded the Military Metal with two bars during the First World War. Edith (Anderson) Monture joined the U.S. Medical Corps in 1917 and tended sick and wounded soldiers in an American military hospital in France. Sgt. Tommy Prince served in World War Two and the Korean War and was a reconnaissance expert in the Devil's Brigade. Sgt. (Ret'd) Geneviève Gauthier became the first female engineer sergeant in the Regular Forces.
First image: Cpt. James Michaud talks to SJASD high school students about his service in Afghanistan on November 8, 2022.
Second image: Canada Post unveiled a new stamp honouring Sgt. Tommy Prince was unveiled in October 2022.
Third image: Students at Hedges Middle School research Charles Henry Byce, a Cree soldier from Moose Factory, Ontario who served in World War Two and earned both the Distinguished Conduct Metal and the Military Metal.
