Today (Wed) is National Indigenous Veterans Day, to recognize the contributions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people, particularly in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, but also to present day.  The day was established to give gratitude for the historically overlooked contributions Indigenous veterans made to Canada and the world.

The federal government’s website says many Indigenous war Veterans did not receive equal treatment compared to other Canadian Veterans and Indigenous people have had to overcome many challenges to serve in uniform – from learning a new language and adapting to cultural differences, to travelling great distances from their remote communities just to enlist. You can honour Indigenous veterans and their families by wearing a beaded or unbeaded poppy today.

With it being Métis veterans Indigenous Veterans Day, Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S) is hosting a private event to recognize Métis men and women who answered the call to service. The event is taking place Wednesday morning (10 am.) on the Batoche Festival Grounds.