Canadian Indigenous veteran honoured in Belgium [Video]

Alex Decoteau didn’t live to see his 30th birthday, but what he accomplished in his 29 years of life was simply remarkable.

An emotional ceremony on National Indigenous Veterans Day was attended by Belgian and Canadian dignitaries in Zonnebeke, Belgium, on Friday.

Decoteau was killed in the First World War during the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917.

Before he enlisted to serve Canada in the Great War, Decoteau was an Olympian and Canada’s first Indigenous police officer.

A plaque was unveiled in his honour near the location where he was shot and killed by a German sniper.

His great grand nephew, Rick Decoteau, is part of a Canadian delegation in Belgium that are honouring Canadian Indigenous Veterans.

He was very proud to represent his ancestor and speak on behalf of his family.

“It is heartwarming,” said Decoteau. “I’ve got a pretty big extended family. The majority of them are Decoteaus …