'Everyone needs to be recognized': Indigenous veterans honoured at Winnipeg ceremony

Indigenous veterans and their families are remembering the hardships First Nations, Mtis and Inuit soldiers have faced while serving their country.

"He came home with nothing," Ruby Brass said of her late father, a veteran, at an Indigenous Veterans Day ceremony in Winnipeg Wednesday.

The ceremony, hosted by Neeginan Centre at the AboriginalCommunity Campus, includedspeeches, a moment of silence, and drummingto honour the thousands of Indigenous soldiers who served in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Brass,who's from Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation in northwestern Manitoba, said Indigenous Veterans Day, which has been recognized in Manitoba since 1994, means her father's service can finally be acknowledged.

"Very proud moment today to acknowledge all of them and everyone else, 'cause it's been a long time coming," she said after the ceremony.

Brass's niece, Bonnie Woolford, said it's unfortunate Indigenous people weren't always recognized after their military service.

"When my grandpa came back, he didn't receive any compensation, whereas other non-Indigenous soldiers received land, farmland, oceanfront land, money for education," she said.

"Everyone needs to be recognized."

But despite that, Woolford said several members of her family, including herself, have served.

"Maybe it's just ingrained in us. It's a proud tradition. We love the environment, the camaraderie, the teamwork," she said.

Woolfordserved as an armed logistics officer with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets.

Wanbdi Wakita, from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, also spoke about his experience as a veteran and a family member of veterans. He said he was thinking of his dad, who served in the Second World War,and his uncles, who served in the First World War, during the ceremony

"It does something to you. I know it changed my dad and my uncles," he told CBC.

"When you go to war, something happens and it kind of twists your mind."

While Wakita said he served in a war and his work focused on peacekeeping, he said he still remembers how his mind would go into survival mode.

"When you do peacekeeping there's still a danger that you really have to look after one another," he said.

"This isn't just going to war, coming back, or going to peacekeeping, coming back. It's a big deal."

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Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was at Wednesday's event. He thanked veterans for their service.

"We are deeply indebted to you for the sacrifices that you have made for all of us."

Canada's veterans minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor also spoke Wednesday. She emphasized the importance of recognizing Indigenous people's service to their country.

"It allows us to reflect on the sacrifices of Indigenous veterans and to properly, properly recognize them for their service," she said.

Indigenous veterans honoured at Winnipeg ceremony

12 months ago

Duration 2:11

Hundreds attended a special ceremony today at the Neeginan Centre in Winnipeg - for Indigenous Veterans Day.It was a chance to honour the contributions and bravery of Indigenous soldiers.