Alberta Indigenous Relations minister Rick Wilson calls the long and proud history of bravery, sacrifice, and contributions made by Indigenous people invaluable to Canada.
Today (Nov. 8) is Indigenous Veterans Day and ceremonies have been held across the nation, including the Alberta Legislative Assembly.
“Today, we remember heroes from our past and acknowledge the almost 3,000 active Indigenous members in the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force and Primary Reserve Force," said Wilson. "This day was established to recognize the often-overlooked sacrifices and contributions of Indigenous veterans who served with distinction in the three major wars of the 20th century and beyond.
“As we stand together in ceremonies across the province, let us commit to ensuring that the sacrifices of Indigenous veterans are never forgotten. Let us honour their memory by sharing their stories, celebrating their achievements and continuing to work towards a future where their contributions are fully recognized and appreciated.”
Among the stories shared by the Canadian Virtual War Memorial is that of Joe Poucette of the Stoney Nakoda Nation. He gave his life to serve our nation during the Second World War with the Royal Winnipeg Rifle.
Joe enlisted at age 20 on October 15, 1943, and was deployed to northern France on June 23, 1944, a few weeks after the invasion of Normandy. He was killed in action on Aug. 15, 1944, and has been laid to rest at the Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in France.
There is also a memorial grave at the cemetery in Mînî Thnî.
The rifleman's commitment to our nation is illustrated in a brief letter he wrote to Eugene Leppard, a teacher of his in Mînî Thnî that resurfaced a newspaper clipping saved in Alice Spackman's 'War Years' scrapbook from Okotoks.
"Last week I was not happy," he wrote. "I was not happy because I thought I missed the Calgary Stampede, but afterward I knew I was doing the right job. So, I don't feel too bad about it now."
"Indigenous veterans have played a vital role in times of conflict and peacekeeping," said Wilson. "Indigenous soldiers have not only fought bravely on the front lines but have also brought unique skills, perspectives, and cultural knowledge to their roles. As we reflect on their service, let's remember the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of Indigenous veterans."