Even as they faced discrimination here at home, Indigenous soldiers have been fighting for Canada for generations.
In the past, their contributions were often unrecognized – but that’s no longer the case. In 1994, Indigenous Veterans Day was officially recognized by the federal government.
Veterans like Devin Beaudry say the importance of the event, which originated in Winnipeg, is becoming understood by more and more Canadians.
“I know its starting to go across the entire country,” said Beaudry. “It’s not celebrated all the way across, but in some provinces it is, other than (only) Manitoba.”
Winston Wuttunee spent 15 years of his life serving in the Canadian military, where he was deployed to Cyprus as a peacekeeper. He served our country, despite the treatment he sometimes received while growing up.
“When i walked in the rink, the guy that ran the rink said, ‘look at that Indian. He thinks he …