Toronto commemorated Indigenous Veterans Day this weekend, and one organization says the date symbolizes remembrance, as well recognition, honouring, and reconciliation.
Indigenous Veterans Day, first commemorated in 1994 and observed days before Remembrance Day ceremonies on Nov. 11, serves as a time to honour the service, sacrifice, and vital contributions of Indigenous veterans.
On Saturday, veterans, their loved ones, and community members gathered at the Spirit Garden outside Toronto City Hall for a ceremony paying tribute to First Nations, Métis and Inuit veterans who served in the First and Second World Wars, Korean War, and peacekeeping missions around the world.
The city unveiled a two-panel display located at Toronto’s city hall to honour those who defended the country during the Battle of York, along with the more than 3,000 Indigenous personnel who served in Canada’s military. The ceremony also featured beaded poppies, music, sacred offerings, a Sacred Fire, and a Sharing Circle.
RECKONING WITH HISTORY
While Remembrance Day honours all who have served and fallen for the country, Indigenous Veterans Day highlights those who defended Canada despite being denied basic rights and recognition, and facing systemic injustices at home.
The Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones (AVA), an organization representing the interests of Canadian Aboriginal Veterans and serving members of Aboriginal descent, says it welcomes Toronto’s declaration of Nov. 8 as Indigenous Veterans Day.
“When we light the Sacred Fire and gather in the Sharing Circle, we honour not only those who wore the uniform but also the families and communities who supported them. We remember the warriors who never came home, and we commit to ensuring that those who serve today receive the respect, recognition, and support they deserve—without exception, without delay,” Wendy Jocko, vice president of Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones (AVA), told Now Toronto in an email statement on Friday.
However, the organization adds that the annual commemoration means more than recognition. It also involves reckoning, reconciliation, and acknowledgment of the integral role of Indigenous contributions throughout Canada’s military history and in the nation’s ongoing story, which are often overlooked.
“For generations, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have answered the call to serve Canada, often returning home to face discrimination and denial of the very rights and benefits they fought to protect,” Jocko said.
“Indigenous Veterans Day is not just a commemoration—it is a reckoning with history and a commitment to honour the sacrifices that have been overlooked for far too long.”
INDIGENOUS VETERANS: PILLARS OF CANADA’S MILITARY LEGACY
Indigenous Peoples have played a key role in Canada’s military efforts within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for many generations, contributing to the nation’s defense system since the War of 1812 and the South African War (1899-1902), according to the Government of Canada’s website.
The significant contributions of Indigenous veterans continued through the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and modern-day operations, with an estimated 12,000 members serving in the 20th century and 500 losing their lives in battle, according to the Government of Canada.
Beyond contributions to CAF’s workforce, Indigenous soldiers brought traditional skills to multiple battlefields, such as marksmanship, tracking, and terrain awareness, offering invaluable skillsets on the front lines.
During the Second World War, Indigenous languages were used to encode military communications and protect sensitive information from enemy interference.
“Indigenous veterans served with distinction in every major conflict, from the War of 1812 to Afghanistan. They served as code talkers, scouts, snipers, and soldiers—often enlisting in numbers that exceeded per capita representation,” Jocko added.
While the culture of the CAF continues to evolve, AVA says Indigenous Veterans Day serves as a crucial time for Truth and Reconciliation, offering Canadians an opportunity to learn about the contributions and sacrifices of Indigenous service members, and to understand and confront the systemic injustices that have negatively impacted Indigenous Peoples in the country.
But most importantly, Indigenous Veterans Day is a beacon, and a call to never forget the interconnected history of Canada.
“[Indigenous Veterans Day is an opportunity] to ensure that their [Indigenous Peoples] stories are woven into the fabric of our national memory.”
